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MEMOIRS 


THE  LIFE  AND  CORRESPONDENCE 

OF  THE  REVEREND  \^//' 

CHRISTIAN  FREDERICK  SWARTZ. 

TO  WHICH  IS  PREFIXED,  A  SKETCH 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIANITY,  IN  INDIA. 


HUGH  PEARSON,  D.D.,  M.R.A.S. 

DEAiV    OF    SALISBURY. 


FIRST    AMERICAN   EDITION. 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED    BY    PERKINS,    MARVIN,    &    CO. 

PHILADELPHIA: 
HENRY    PERKINS. 

1835. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1835, 

By  Perkins,  Marvin,  &  Co. 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


PREFACE 


AMERICAN    EDITION 


Imperfect  biographies  of  Swartz  have  appeared  at 
different  times;  but  it  is  remarkable,  that  a  complete 
history  of  his  life  was  not  published  for  nearly  forty 
years  after  his  decease.  This — so  long  a  desideratum 
— was  furnished  in  the  year  1834,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Pearson,  the  well  known  biographer  of  Buchanan. 
The  delay  was  occasioned  by  the  difficulty  of  collect- 
ing materials.  Dr.  Pearson's  work  has  left  us  little  to 
desire,  as  he  had  the  object  before  him  for  many  years, 
and  enjoyed  the  best  means  of  gaining  information. 
Indeed,  he  is  rather  redundant  in  materials;  and  it  is 
by  throwing  out  some  of  the  less  important  of  these, 
as  well  as  by  a  smaller  type  and  closer  page,  that  the 
work  was  reduced,  in  the  present  edition,  from  an 
expensive  octavo  of  two  volumes,  without  diminishing 
the  interest  or  value  of  the  memoir.  The  thread  of 
the  narrative  has  not  been  broken  at  all  by  the  omis- 
sions, as  these  consist,  in  a  great  degree,  of  letters, 
contents  of  which  were  anticipated  either  in  other 
letters,  or  in  the  remarks  of  the  biographer,  which 
have  been  retained. 


IV  PREFACE. 

The  missionary  labors  of  Swartz  and  of  his  asso- 
ciates, must  have  a  permanent  and  increasing  interest 
in  this  country,  from  the  fact  that  an  American  mission 
has  just  been  commenced  among  the  Tamul  people  on 
the  contihent,  on  the  very  ground  where  Swartz  and 
Gericke  labored  and  prayed.  Swartz  is  known  to 
have  extended  his  efforts  to  Jaffna  in  Ceylon.  A 
branch  of  the  American  mission  in  that  island,  has 
just  been  formed  at  Madura,  upon  the  continent,  one 
of  the  outposts  of  the  Tanjore  mission.  The  influence 
of  Swartz  and  his  associates,  was  so  diffused  among 
the  Tamul  race,  that  all  missionaries  now  among 
that  people,  are  his  successors.  Some  account  of  the 
different  missions  in  the  south  of  India,  is  inserted 
in  the  last  chapter  of  this  volume.  The  American 
missions  will,  unquestionably,  become  greatly  extended 
and  influential.  Swartz  and  his  companions  labored, 
and  we  are  now  entering  into  their  labors.  Our  en- 
terprise is  a  continuation  of  theirs.  Their  history  is 
necessary  as  an  introduction  to  ours,  and  it  always 
will  be  necessary,  and  always  doubly  interesting  on 
that  account. 

But  the  great,  the  substantial  interest  of  this  memoir 
is  to  be  found  in  the  character  of  Swartz.  He  was 
situated  as  no  other  Christian  missionary  ever  was 
before.  He  was  called  to  sustain  the  twofold  char- 
acter of  a  political  adviser  and  of  a  missionary  of  Jesus. 
He  was  repeatedly  intrusted  by  the  Madras  govern- 
ment, with  services  of  the  most  delicate  and  respon- 
sible character;  in  one  or  two  instances,  where  the 
very  existence  of  the  British  power  in  that  part  of 
India,  seemed  to  lie  entirely  in  his  keeping.     With 


PREFACE. 


what  integrity  and  single-mindedness,  with  what  fideUty 
to  the  native  and  to  the  British  interests  alike,  his 
whole  course  was  njarked,  this  volume  contains  most 
abundant  proof.  His  intercourse  with  the  Madras 
government  and  with  the  native  princes,  was  alto- 
gether honorable  and  Christian.  His  motives,  and  his 
whole  interior  frame,  so  far  as  they  are  developed  by 
his  actions  and  by  his  confidential  correspondence,  are 
in  full  accordance  with  the  simplicity  of  his  personal 
appearance  and  of  his  general  reputation.  There  was 
nothing  like  chicanery,  or  double-dealing,  or  want  of 
transparency  in  his  conduct.  When  he  might  have  ac- 
quired riches  and  high  political  honor,  he  yet  loved  his 
work  as  a  missionary.  He  went  about  over  the  hills 
and  vallies  of  the  peninsula  doing  good.  Whether 
lecturing  to  his  catechists,  visiting  the  sick,  preaching 
to  beggars,  taking  measures  to  build  a  church,  whether 
at  home  in  the  study  of  Tamul,  in  the  governor's 
council-chamber,  travelling  in  his  palanquin,  or  nego- 
tiating in  the  palace  of  Hyder  Ali,  we  observe  the 
same  spiritual  affections,  the  same  sweet  simplicity,  the 
same  ardent  desire  for  the  coming  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  Like  Paul,  he  strove  to  commend  himself  to 
every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God.  He  car- 
ried \\  itli  him  a  deep  sense  of  the  importance  of  per- 
sonal religion,  and  of  the  difference  between  inward 
piety,  and  a  mere  external  profession.  At  the  same 
time,  he  was  catholic  and  candid  in  his  opinions,  in  a 
high  degree.  His  apostolic  fervor  never  degenerated 
into  partizan-zeal.  In  his  quiet  and  simple  expres- 
sions, there  not  unfrequently  appears,  the  profoundest 
maxims  of  political  wisdom.     With  great  simplicity 


and  meekness,  he  had  a  clear  insight  into  the  springs 
of  human  action,  truly  uniting  the  wisdom  of  the  ser- 
pent and  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove.  Perhaps, 
some  portion  of  tlie  excellence  of  his  Christian  char- 
acter may  have  been  derived  from  his  German  tem- 
perament, as  some  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  missiona- 
ries of  the  United  Brethren  seem  to  be  hereditary 
or  native  qualities.  An  Englishman,  with  an  equal 
amount  of  piety,  may  be  much  more  reserved  than  a 
German.  Still,  we  do  not,  in  the  least,  question  the 
honesty  and  beautiful  transparency  of  Swartz's  char- 
acter. We  recognize,  on  every  page,  the  footsteps  of 
a  noble-minded  disciple  and  apostle  of  Jesus.  His 
example  will  shine  gloriously  through  all  coming  gen- 
erations. But  very  few  missionaries,  if  any,  will  be 
called  to  perform  political  duties,  such  as  were  in- 
trusted to  him.  But  all  may  well  copy  his  wisdom, 
his  fervency,  his  untiring  industry,  his  bland  and  affec- 
tionate disposition,  his  comprehensive  views  for  the 
best  good  of  mankind,  and  his  habitual  and  cordial 
trust  in  the  merits  and  mediation  of  the  Saviour. 

The  memoir,  which  we  now  present  to  the  Chris- 
tian public,  will  be  one  of  enduring  interest  and  value. 
In  unifonn  and  eminent  spirituality  of  mind,  Swartz 
was  like  Brainerd  and  Martyn.  His  name,  like  theirs, 
will  never  die. 

Boston,  May,  1835. 


CONTENTS 


INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 


Page. 


Extensive  propagation  of  the  Gospel  during  the  first  four  cen- 
turies— Subsequent  decline — Slumber  of  the  middle  ages — 
Maritime  discoveries  of  the  Portuguese — Roman  Catholic 
Missions — Zeal  of  the  Dutch — Danish  Mission — Ziegen- 
balg  and  Grundler — Patronage  of  the  Tranquebar  Mission 
by  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge — Schultz, 
and  other  Danish  Missionaries — Establisliment  of  a  Mission 
at  Madras — Introduction  of  Christianity  into  Tanjore — 
Mission  at  Cuddalore — Captuie  of  Fort  St.  George  by  the 
French — Mr.  Fabricius — Roman  Catholic  Churches  and 
Mission  Houses  at  Vepery  and  Cuddalore,  granted  to  the 
Protestant  Missionaries  at  the  peace,  in  1746 — State  of  the 
Danish  Mission  previously  to  the  arrival  of  Swartz — Reca- 
pitulation,      13 

CHAP.  I. 

Early  life  and  Education  of  Swartz — His  removal  to  Halle — 
Proposal  to  go  out  as  a  Danish  missionary  to  Tranquebar — 
He  obtains  the  consent  of  his  father — His  ordination — De- 
parture for  England,  and  kind  reception  by  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge — He  embarks  for  India — 
Account  of  his  voyage — He  arrives  at  Tranquebar — First 
occupations  at  the  Mission, 39 

CHAP.   II. 

Mr.  Swartz  enters  on  the  Duties  of  a  Missionary — His  account 
of  these  in  a  Letter  to  a  Friend — Ceireful  preparation  of 


via  CONTENTS. 

Candidates  for  Baptism — Excursions  to  the  Towns  and  Vil- 
lages near  Tranquebar — Letter  to  Dr.  Struensee — Periodical 
Reports  of  the  Danish  Mission — Pious  Custom  of  the  Mis- 
Bionaries  on  proceeding  upon  a  Journey — Visit  of  Messrs. 
KohlhofF  and  Swartz  to  Cuddalore — Pastoral  and  weekly 
Conferences  with  their  Brethren  there — Return  to  Tran- 
quebar,   55 

CHAP.  III. 

War  in  the  Carnatic  between  the  French  and  English — Mr. 
Swartz  continues  his  usual  labors  and  excursions — Letter  to 
Professor  Francke — Expedition  of  Mr.  Poltzenhagen  to  the 
Nicobar  Islands — His  death — Letter  of  Swartz  to  a  friend  in 
Europe — Visit  of  Messrs.  KohlhofF  and  Swartz  to  Negapa- 
tam — Conversations  with  the  natives — Favorable  results  of 
the  journey — Second  visit  to  Negapatam — Swartz's  address 
to  the  native  catechists — Capture  of  Fort  St.  David  and 
Cuddalore  by  the  French — Kindness  of  Count  Lally  to  the 
Missionaries — They  retreat  to  Tranquebar — Mr.  Kiernander 
removes  to  Calcutta — Mr.  Hutteman  returns  to  Cuddalore 
— Death  of  one  of  the  first  five  converts  of  Ziegenbalg  at 
Tranquebar — The  French  army  approaches  Madras — Messrs. 
Fabricius  and  Breithaupt  protected  by  Count  Lally — They 
leave  Vepery,  and  retire  to  Pulicat — An  English  fleet  re- 
lieves Madras — The  French  army  retreats,  and  the  mis- 
sionaries return  to  Vepery, 66 

CHAP.  IV. 

Tranquillity  of  the  Danish  missionaries  during  the  late  hos- 
tilities in  the  Carnatic — Visit  of  Mr.  Swartz  to  Ceylon — 
His  various  ministerial  labors  and  his  illness  in  that  island 
— His  reflections  on  this  visit — Journey  with  Mr.  Kohlhoif 
to  Cuddalore  and  Madras — His  religious  views  and  feelings 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend,    ........      80 

CHAP.  V. 

Enlarged  sphere  of  Swartz's  labors — Journey  to  Tanjore  and 
Trichinopoly — First  proceedings  in  those  cities — Introduc- 
tion to  the  Nabob  of  Arcot — Conversations  with  nativei 
near  Trichinopoly — Commencement  of  Divine  Service  with 


CONTENTS.  IX 

the  English  garrison — Contagious  fever — Services  of  Swarti 
during  the  siege  of  Madura — His  removal  from  Tranquebar, 
and  establishment  at  Trichinopoly,  as  a  Missionary  of  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,        ...      87 

CHAP.  VI. 

Sketch  of  Swartz  and  his  early  proceedings  at  Trichinopoly, 
by  the  late  W.  Chambers,  Esq. — He  builds  a  church  at  that 
place — Mission-house  and  schools  at  Trichinopoly — War 
between  Hyder  Ali  and  the  great  powers  of  Southern  India 
— Swartz  visits  his  brethren  at  Tranquebar — Incidents  on 
his  journey — His  visits  to  the  sick  and  wounded  at  Trichi- 
nopoly— Conversations — Letters  to  friends  in  Europe — 
State  of  Tanjore  at  that  period — The  hope  of  Swartz  as  to 
the  diffusion  of  Christianity — Conclusion  of  his  journal  for 
the  year  17C8, 94 

CHAP.  VII. 

Continuation  of  hostilities — Zeal  and  disinterestedness  of 
Swartz — His  conference  with  a  Romish  Padre — Peace  be- 
tween Hyder  Ali  and  the  English — Swartz  proceeds  to 
Tanjore — His  introduction  to  the  Rajah — His  character — 
Conversation  at  this  interview — Swartz  returns  to  Trichi- 
nopoly— His  second  visit  to  the  Rajah  with  Colonel  Wood 
— Preaches  to  the  natives  on  the  glacis,  and  in  the  Fort — 
The  Rajah  wishes  to  converse  with  him,  but  is  prevented 
by  his  Ministers — Swartz's  message  to  the  King,  and  his 
reply — He  returns  to  Trichinopoly — Mr.  Chambers  leaves 
that  city — First  letters  of  Swartz  to  that  gentleman —  Con- 
versations with  the  natives,  and  with  the  Nabob's  son — At- 
tendance on  sick  Europeans — Letter  from  Mr.  Chambers  to 
his  brother  on  a  translation  of  the  New  Testament  into  Per- 
sian— Conversation  with  a  sick  soldier,  and  with  natives, 
heathen  and  Mohammedan — Reflections  of  Swartz  at  the 
close  of  the  year  1769, 113 

CHAP.  VIII. 

Mr.  Swartz's  general  occupations  during  the  year  1770 — Con- 
version of  a  Pandaram — Journey  to  Madras  and  Cuddalore 
— Letters  to  Mr.  Chambers — Devotional  service  with  Eng- 


X   ^  CONTENTS. 

lish  soldiers  at  Trichinopoly — Further  Letters  to  Mr. 
Chambers — Visit  to  Tanjore — Extracts  from  his  journal  of 
conversations  with  natives — Return  to  Trichinopoly — 
Swartz  visits  the  great  mosque,  and  addresses  the  Moham- 
medans— Letter  to  Dr.  Knapp,  with  a  sketch  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  year — Excitement  of  the  Roman  Catholics 
in  Tanjore — His  anxiety  for  a  colleague,      ....     132 

CHAP.  IX. 

Letter  to  Mr.  Chambers  at  the  commencement  of  the  year 
1771 — The  convert  Nydnapracdsam — Progress  of  the  mis- 
sion— Death  of  a  pious  English  soldier — Residence  at 
Trichinopoly — Letters  to  Mr.  Chambers — Attack  by  the 
Nabob  and  the  English  on  Tanjore — Peace  restored — 
Swartz's  allusion  to  these  events — Violence  of  the  Roman 
Catholics  against  Nyinapracasam — The  conduct  of  Mr. 
Swartz  upon  this  occasion — His  preservation  from  an  ex- 
plosion of  the  powder  magazine  in  the  fort — His  reflections 
on  the  event — Conversion  of  Sattianaden,  and  of  a  very 
aged  man — Visit  to  Tanjore — Interview  with  the  Rajah — 
Performs  the  marriage  ceremony  in  the  palace — Account 
of  this,  and  of  the  Rajah — Letters  to  Mr.  Chambers  re- 
specting one  of  his  former  servants,  a  convert  to  Christianity 
— Swartz  declines  an  invitation  from  the  Rajah  for  a  politi- 
cal object, 146 

CHAP.  X. 

Mr.  Swartz  visits  Tanjore — Places  a  Catechist  at  Vellum — 
Letters  to  Mr.  Chambers,  and  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge — Renewed  hostilities  against  the  Ra- 
jah of  Tanjore — Capture  of  the  Fort  and  City — Unfavorable 
effect  on  the  ministry  of  Swartz — Two  journies  to  Madras — 
Progress  of  the  Mission  at  Trichinopoly — Death  of  Colonel 
Wood — Letters  of  Swartz  to  his  children — Restoration  of 
the  Rajah  of  Tanjore — Arrival  of  a  new  Missionary — His 
death — Mr.  Pohle  sent  from  Tranquebar  to  supply  his  place 
— Frequent  visits  of  Swartz  to  Tanjore — Letter  to  Professor 
Freylinghausen — Rajah  of  Tanjore — At  his  request  Swartz 
learns  the  Mahratta  language — Translates  his  Tamul  Dia- 
logue for  his  use — Account  of  that  tract — State  of  the  Mis- 
sion at  the  close  of  the  year  1777, 168 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAP.  XI. 

Tanjore,  the  future  residence  of  Mr.  Swartz — His  Report  of 
the  Mission  for  the  year  1778 — Letters  to  friends — History 
of  a  young  Hindoo  convert — Major  Stevens — Foundation 
of  a  Cliurch  at  Tanjore — Mr.  Swartz  called  by  the  Gov- 
ernor to  Madras — His  mission  to  Hyder  Ali — Account  of 
his  journey  to  Seringapatam — Reception  by  Hyder — His 
Palace  and  Government — Swartz's  occupations  during  his 
stay — His  last  interview  with  Hyder — His  return  to  Ma- 
dras— His  disinterestedness,  as  to  remuneration — He  ob- 
tains a  salary  for  Mr.  Pohlc,  and  assistance  towards  build- 
ing his  Church  at  Tanjore — Reflections  on  his  Embassy  to 
Hyder, 185 


CHAP.  XII. 

Completion  of  the  church  in  the  little  Fort  at  Tanjore — Pre- 
paration of  another  for  the  Tamul  congregation  in  the  gar- 
den, presented  by  the  rajah  to  Mr.  Swartz,  in  the  suburbs 
— Letters  to  friends — Invasion  of  the  Carnatic  by  Hyder 
Ali — Letters  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chambers — Desolation  and 
distress  of  the  country  in  consequence  of  Hyder's  attack — 
Benevolent  exertions  of  Swartz  to  relieve  it,        •        .        .    211 


CHAP.  XIII. 

Death  of  Hyder  Ali — Continuation  of  the  war  by  Tippoo 
Sultan — Return  to  Madras,  and  death,  of  Sir  Eyre  Coote — 
Successes  of  Colonel  Fullarton  in  Southern  India — Nego- 
tiation for  peace — Lord  Macartney  requests  Mr.  Swartz  to 
join  the  Commissioners  at  Seringapatam — He  consents,  and 
sets  out  on  the  journey — Letters  to  Mr.  Sullivan — Meets 
Colonel  Fullarton  and  his  army — He  is  stopped  by  Tippoo's 
officers,  at  Sattimungalum — Returns  to  Tanjore — Declines 
attempting  a  second  journey — Peace  concluded  with  Tippoo 
— Letters  to  several  friends  on  the  preceding  events — Jour- 
ney with  Mr.  Sullivan  to  Ramanad — Plan  of  the  provincial 
schools — Journey,  on  account  of  his  health,  to  the  coast — 
Letters  to  Mr.  Sullivan,  and  Mr.  Duffin— Swartz  as  a 
Preacher 229 


XU  CONTENTS. 

CHAP.   XIV. 

Introduction  and  progress  of  Protestant  Christianity  in  Tinne- 
velly — Journey  to  Ramanadapuram  and  Palamcotta — Letter 
to  a  friend  of  Mr.  Chambers — Provincial  Schools — Com- 
munication to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowl- 
edge— Letters  to  Mrs.  Duffin  and  Mrs.  Chambers ;  a  second 
to  Mr.  Chambers's  friend — Retrospect  of  the  year  1786 — 
Wretched  state  of  the  rajah  and  kingdom  of  Tanjore — Com- 
mittee of  inspection  for  the  affairs  of  that  country,  appointed 
by  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  of  which  Swaitz  is  requested  to 
become  a  member — Their  proceedings — Beneficial  influence 
of  Swartz  with  the  people  of  Tanjore — The  Madras  Gov- 
ernment expresses  its  high  sense  of  the  value  of  his  servi- 
ces— Swartz  requests  the  Society  to  receive  his  young  friend 
Mr.  J.  Kohlhoff  as  one  of  their  missionaries,         .         ,         .    248 

CHAP.  XV. 

Ordination  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Kohlhoff — Adoption  of  a  son  by  the 
Rajah  of  Tanjore — He  requests  Mr.  Swartz  to  become  his 
guardian,  and  manager  of  the  country  during  his  minority 
— He  declines,  and  recommends  another  plan — The  Rajah 
accedes  to  it-^His  death — Reference  of  the  succession  to 
Tanjore,  to  the  Governor  General — Lord  Cornwallis's  di- 
rections— Sir  Archibald  Campbell  sets  aside  the  adopted 
eon,  and  places  Ameer  Sing  on  the  throne — Advice  of  the 
Governor  to  the  new  Rajah — Committee  of  Inspection  dis- 
solved— Donation  of  Ameer  Sing  to  the  Tanjore  mission — 
Liberal  support  of  provincial  schools,  by  the  Court  of  Di- 
rectors— Question  respecting  Castes — His  conduct  with 
reference  to  this  subject — Congregation  at  Palamcotta — 
Letters  to  Mr.  Duffin — Arrival  of  Mr.  Joenicke  as  a  mis- 
sionary at  Tanjore — Swartz's  character  of  him — Journey  to 
Madras — Letters, 271 

CHAP.  XVI. 

Misgovernment  of  Ameer  Sing — Mr.  Petrie  sent  to  Tanjore — 
Complaint  as  to  the  rajah's  treatment  of  Serfojee — Measures 
consequent  upon  it — Result  of  them — Letter  of  Swartz  to 
the  governor  of  Madras — His  letter  to  government  in  vindi- 
cation of  his  conduct,  in  relation  to  Serfojee — Confidence  of 
the  governor  and  council  of  Madras  in  Mr.  Swartz,     .        .    291 


CONTENTS.  Xni 

CHAP.  XVII. 

Letters  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge, 
and  to  several  friends — Progress  of  Mr.  Joenicke — School  at 
Cumbagonam — Renewal  of  the  war  with  Tippoo — Ordina- 
tion of  Sattianaden — His  Sermon  on  that  occasion — He  is 
sanctioned  by  the  Society — Visit  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cam- 
merer — His  Character  of  Mr.  Swartz — Extracts  from  his 
Journal  for  1791— 'Letters  to  friends,     .....    :j08 

CHAP.  XVIII. 

Harsh  treatment  of  Serfojee  and  the  Widows  of  Tuljajee,  by 
Ameer  Sing — Letter  from  Serfojee  to  Mr.  Swartz — He 
transmits  their  Complaints  to  the  Governor  of  Madras — 
The  Widows  and  Serfojee,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Swartz, 
are  removed  to  that  Presidency — Proceedings  commenced 
for  a  renewed  Investigation  of  Serfojee's  Adoption — Ad- 
ministration of  Tanjore  Revenue  restored  to  Ameer  Sing — 
Swartz  visits  Mr.  Gerickc  at  Vepery — Their  mutual  testi- 
mony— Account  of  tlie  Collaries — Mr.  Joenicke  and  Sattian- 
aden at  Palamcotta — Death  of  Mr.  Chambers— Letter  of 
Swartz  to  his  Widow, 324 

CHAP.  XIX. 

Debate  in  Parliament  on  the  renewal  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany's Charter  in  1793 — Letter  of  Mr.  Swartz  in  reply  to 
some  reflections  of  Mr.  M.  Campbell  on  Missionaries,  in 
the  course  of  that  debate — Letters  to  friends — Revival  of 
the  discussion  respecting  the  validity  of  Serfojee's  adoption, 
and  his  title  to  the  Musnud — Proceedings  at  the  two  Presi- 
dencies of  Madras  and  Bengal — Important  services  of  Mr. 
Swartz  upon  this  occasion — High  testimony  to  his  character 
by  Sir  John  Shore — Complete  establishment  of  Serfojee's 
claims — Appointment  of  two  new  missionaries — Sir  A. 
Johnstone — Declining  health  of  Mr.  Swartz — His  devout 
and  interesting  reflections  on  this  subject,     ....     334 

CHAP.  XX. 

Closing  period  of  Mr.  Swartz's  life — Letters  to  Mrs.  Cham- 
bers, and  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge 
a 


XJV  CONTENTS. 

— His  preference  of  Celibacy  for  a  Missionary — Reflections 
on  his  opinion — His  last  report  to  the  Society — Mr.  Gericke 
communicates  the  intelligence  of  his  dangerous  Illness,  and 
announces  his  Death — Details  of  those  events  by  Mr. 
Gericke,  and  Mr.  KohlhoiF, 355 

CHAP.  XXI. 

Reflections  on  the  Death  of  Swartz — Testimonies  of  respect 
and  veneration  for  his  memory ;  from  his  brethren  at  Tan- 
jore  and  Tranquebar ;  from  Serfojee  rajah — Interesting  an- 
ecdote of  him — He  erects  a  Monument  to  Swartz  at  Tanjore 
— Epitaph  by  the  rajah — Other  proofs  of  his  regard — His 
conversations  with  Dr.  Buchanan,  and  Bishops  Middleton 
and  Heber — Reflections  on  the  continued  Superstition  of 
the  two  rajahs — Monument  to  Swartz  at  Madras,  by  the 
Court  of  Directors — Honors  paid  to  his  memory  by  the 
Government  of  Fort  St.  George — Eulogy  by  Dr.  Kerr — 
His  last  Will, 375 


CHAP.  XXII. 

Review  of  the  character  of  Swartz, 395 

CHAP.  XXIII. 

Some  account  of  the  state  of  the  Mission  since  the  death  of 
Swartz, 408 


(         SWART  Z.      ') 


('    K    V   li    O    :5f 


SKETCH  OF  THE  HISTORY 


CHRISTIANITY  IN  INDIA, 


INTRODUCTORY   TO    THE 


LIFE    OF    SWARTZ, 


m 


i 


INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 


Extensive  propagation  of  the  Gospel  during  the  first  four  centuries. 
—Subsequent  decline. — Slumber  of  the  middle  ages. — Maritime 
discoveries  of  the  Portuguese. — Roman  Catholic  Missions. — 
Zeal  of  the  Dutch. — Danish  Mission. — Ziegenbalg  and  Grundler. 
— Patronage  of  the  Tranquebar  Missi  )n  by  the  Society  for  Pro- 
moting Christian  Knowledge. — Schultz,  and  other  Danish  Mis- 
sionaries.— Establishment  of  a  Mission  at  Madras. — Introduction 
of  Christianity  into  Tanjore. — Mission  at  Cuddalore. — Capture 
of  Fort  St.  George  by  tlie  French. — Mr.  Fabricius. — Roman 
Catholic  Churches  and  Mission  Houses  at  Vcperyand  Cuddalore, 
granted  to  the  Protestant  Missionaries  at  the  peace,  in  1743. — 
State  of  the  Danish  Mission  previously  to  the  arrival  of  Swaytz. — 
Recapitulation. 

The  propagation  of  the  gospel  during  the  first  four 
centuries  after  the  Christian  era,  presents  a  most  impor- 
tant and  interesting  subject  of  contemplation  to  every 
reflecting  mind.  A  new  and  divine  religion  had  revealed 
to  mankind  the  knowledge  of  the  will  of  God,  the  good 
tidings  of  a  Redeemer,  and  the  promise  of  immortal  life 
and  happiness.  Opposed  as  its  spiritual  principles  and 
its  moral  precepts  were  to  the  prevailing  philosophy,  no 
less  than  to  the  multiplied  superstitions  and  the  corrupt 
passions  of  the  Gentile  world,  the  miraculous  powers 
which  distinguished  the  primitive  ages  of  Christianity, 
and  the  piety  and  zeal  of  its  early  disciples,  succeeded, 
under  the  guidance  and  blessing  of  its  divine  Author, 
in  diffusing  its  influence  with  a  rapidity,  and  to  an  extent, 
far  exceeding  that  which  has  been  witnessed  at  any  sub- 
sequent period.  It  pervaded  every  province  of  the  Ro- 
man empire,  and  even  penetrated  to  regions  beyond  its 
2 


14  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

widely-extended  boundaries;  and  while  it  tended  to  ameli- 
orate the  character  of  polished  nations,  and  to  civilize  the 
most  barbarous  people,  it  communicated  to  both  blessings 
infinitely  more  valuable  than  any  which  refer  merely  to 
the  transient  interests  of  the  present  world. 

The  progress  of  the  gospel  during  several  succeeding 
centuries  was  slow  and  limited  ;  while,  in  too  many  in- 
stances, the  pure  light  of  divine  truth  became  gradually 
obscured,  and  in  others  utterly  overwhelmed  and  extin- 
guished, by  error,  superstition,  and  barbarism. 

It  was  not  till  the  tenth  century,  that  Christianity  made 
any  effectual  impression  on  the  eastern  and  northern  states 
of  Europe,  nor  was  it  'before  the  commencement  of  the 
fifteenth,  that  it  finally  triumphed  over  Paganism  in  that 
quarter  of  the  world.  In  the  meantime,  the  conquests 
of  the  Turks  and  Tartars  in  Asia  and  Africa  opposed  an 
invincible  barrier  to  the  progress  of  the  gospel  in  those 
continents  ;  while  the  darkness  and  slumber  of  the  middle 
ages  paralyzed  the  efforts  of  European  Christians  for 
its  extension  in  any  part  of  the  globe. 

The  maritime  discoveries  of  the  Portuguese  towards 
the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century,  by  opening  a  new  world 
to  the  nations  of  Europe,  appeared  to  rouse  their  dormant 
energies  in  propagating  the  knowledge  of  Christianity. 
On  the  coast  of  Africa,  in  America  and  its  islands,  and 
in  the  islands  and  maritime  provinces  of  Asia,  the  Span- 
iards and  Portuguese,  armed  by  the  authority  and  stimu- 
lated by  the  zeal  of  the  court  of  Rome,  distinguished 
themselves  in  this  sacred  cause.  The  progress  of  the 
Reformation,  by  giving  an  effectual  check  to  the  ambition 
of  the  Roman  pontiffs,  and  by  depriving  them  of  a  con- 
siderable part  of  their  spiritual  dominion  in  Europe,  might 
perhaps  have  tended  to  increase  their  ardor  in  the  propa- 
gation of  their  religion  in  distant  quarters  of  the  world. 
Their  efforts  were  powerfully  seconded  by  the  institution 
of  the  order  of  Jesuits  in  the  year  1540  ;  a  certain  num- 
ber of  that  celebrated  society  having  been,  from  its  com- 
mencement, devoted  to  the  purpose  of  extending  the  pale 
of  the  Romish  church  in  heathen  nations. 

The  zeal  of  the  Portuguese  clergy,  and  of  the  various 
missionaries  of  the  Romish  church,  among  whom  the 
justly  celebrated  Francis  Xavier  holds  the  most  distin- 
guished place,  effected  the  conversion  of  thousands  of  the 


INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH.  15 

natives  of  India  to  the  Roman  Catholic  faith.  The 
greater  number  of  these  converts  were  at  Goa,  and  Cran- 
ganore,  and  in  other  stations  on  the  coast  of  Malabar, 
under  the  more  immediate  influence  of  the  Portuguese 
government ;  but  the  missions  in  Madura  and  Mysore, 
in  Marava  and  the  island  of  Ceylon,  on  the  coast  of  Coro- 
raandel  and  in  the  Carnatic,  were,  if  we  may  credit  the 
reports,  more  particularly  of  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  emi- 
nently and  extensively  successful.  Many  deductions  must 
undoubtedly  be  made  with  respect  to  the  numbers  of 
Hindoo  converts  thus  asserted  by  the  missionaries  of  the 
Romish  church.  But  even  admitting  to  whatever  extent 
the  success  of  their  exertions,  the  Anti-Christian  and 
unworthy  methods  to  which  the  Jesuits  had  recourse,  and 
the  merely  external  and  nominal  profession  of  Christianity 
with  which  they  were  for  the  most  part  contented,  tend 
to  reduce  to  a  very  low  scale  the  estimate  of  their  labors, 
in  what  must  otherwise  be  deemed  a  noble  and  most 
important  enterprise. 

The  expedient  resorted  to  by  Robert  di  Nobili,  chief 
of  the  Jesuit's  College  at  Madura,  in  the  sixteenth  century, 
and  one  of  the  most  eminent  followers  of  Xavier,  of 
adopting,  together  with  his  clergy,  the  dress,  habits,  and 
manners  of  the  brahmins,  is  a  striking  instance  of  those 
unwise  and  equivocal  attempts  to  conciliate  the  Hindoos, 
by  compromising  the  truth  and  simplicity  of  Christianity. 
This  learned  and  zealous  man,  with  the  same  mistaken 
policy,  composed  a  work  in  Sanscrit,  consisting  of  dia- 
logues between  a  Christian  and  a  Hindoo,  in  which, 
though  the  preponderance  of  argument  is  in  favor  of  the 
Christian,  the  Hindoo,  in  order  to  convince  his  country- 
men of  the  folly  of  idolatry,  is  made  to  reason  powerfully 
in  support  of  the  principles  of  pure  theism.  A  transla- 
tion of  this  work  having  been  transmitted  from  Pondi- 
cherry  to  the  king's  library  at  Paris,  Voltaire,  presuming 
it  to  be  the  genuine  production  of  a  Hindoo,  triumphantly 
appealed  to  it  as  a  decisive  proof,  that  it  was  unnecessary 
and  superfluous  to  urge  the  doctrines  of  Christianity  upon 
a  people  who  were  already  so  well  informed  as  to  the 
tenets  of  natural  religion. 

The  failure  of  all  such  worldly  expedients  on  the  part  of 
the  Romish  missionaries  in  India,  is  fairly  acknowledged 
by  the  Abbe  Dubois  ;  who,  however,  strangely  attributes 


16  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

it,  not  to  the  refusal  of  the  divine  blessing  to  a  method 
of  proceeding  so  contrary  to  apostolic  principles  and  prac- 
tice, but  to  the  effect  of  the  divine  predestination  ! 

The  decline  of  the  Portuguese  dominion  on  the  coast 
of  Malabar,  naturally  diminished  the  influence  and  the 
success  of  the  Roman  Catholic  missionaries  in  India; 
while  the  zeal  of  the  Dutch,  more  especially  in  Ceylon, 
though  liable  in  some  measure  to  the  objection  which 
has  been  urged  against  the  missions  of  the  Church  of 
Rome,  as  to  the  worldly  policy  and  the  culpable  facility 
with  which  converts  to  their  respective  communions  were 
too  frequently  encouraged,  augmented  to  a  very  large 
amount  the  numbers  of  professed  Christians  in  that 
island.* 

Though  the  piety  and  zeal  of  Protestants  had  often 
excited  an  anxious  desire  to  propagate  the  pure  and  re- 
formed faith  of  the  gospel  in  heathen  countries,  its  estab- 
lishment and  defence  against  the  hostile  attempts  of  Popish 
adversaries  at  home,  together  with  the  want  of  suitable 
opportunities  and  facilities  for  so  great  a  work,  combined 
during  the  first  century  after  the  Reformation,  to  prevent 
them  from  making  any  direct  or  vigorous  efforts  for  this 
purpose.  A  regard  to  sound  policy,  as  well  as  the  sense 
of  duty,  had,  as  we  have  just  seen,  prompted  the  Dutch 
to  accompany  their  conquests  with  laudable  endeavors  to 
promote  Christianity  in  India;  but  it  was  reserved  for  the 
Danes  to  be  entitled  to  the  high  honor  of  setting  the  first 
example  of  an  institution  for  the  express  purpose  of 
communicating  to  its  native  inhabitants  that  inestimable 
blessing. 

The  crown  of  Denmark  had,  since  the  year  1621,  by 
the  cession  of  the  Rajah  of  'I'anjore,  been  possessed  of 
the  town  of  Tranquebar,  and  a  small  adjoining  territory, 
on  the  coast  of  Coromandel.  The  Jesuits  had  long  be- 
fore built  a  church  there,  but  had  done  nothing  towards 
the  propagation  of  Christianity  among  the  natives  ;  while 
the  Danish  merchants,  occupied  only  with  the  interests 
of  commerce,  were  altogether  indifferent  to  their  religious 
condition.     Such  was   the   state  of  things   when,  at   the 

*  An  account  of  the  means  employed  by  the  Dutch,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  to  propagate  the  Christian  religion 
in  Ceylon,  may  be  found  in  Cordiner's  Description  of  Ceylon. 
—Am.  Ed. 


INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH.  17 

commencement  of  the  eighteenth  century,  Frederick  IV., 
King  of  Denmark,  on  the  suggestion  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Lutkens,  one  of  his  majesty's  chaplains,  who  had  pro- 
posed the  subject  to  him  when  only  prince  regent,  deter- 
mined, notwithstanding  the  advice  of  some  who  thought 
the  design  premature  and  ill  timed,  to  establish  a  mission 
for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen  at  Traiiquebar.  With 
this  view  the  king  directed  an  application  to  be  made  to 
the  celebrated  Dr.  Francke,  professor  of  divinity  in  the 
University  of  Halle,  in  Saxony,  whose  well  known  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  of  religion,  and  recent  establishment 
of  the  Oriental  College  of  Divinity  in  that  place,  peculiarly 
qualified  him  for  such  a  task  ;  requesting  him  to  recom- 
mend from  among  his  piipils  those  whom  he  might  deem 
best  calculated,  by  their  learning  and  piety,  to  lay  the  foun- 
dation of  this  important  work.  Dr.  Francke  made  choice 
of  Bartholomew  Ziegenbalg,  a  young  man  of  eminent 
talents  and  religious  excellence,  who  had  been  educated 
at  Halle  under  his  own  immediate  superintendence,  and 
who  happening  to  be  at  Berlin  when  Dr.  Lutkens  was 
inquiring  for  suitable  persons  to  be  employed  as  mission- 
aries, joyfully  accepted  the  proposal.  He  was  soon  after- 
wards joined  by  his  friend  and  fellow  student,  Henry 
Plutscho,  who  was  actuated  by  a  similar  desire  of  engaging 
in  the  first  Protestant  mission  to  India.  These  pious 
men,  having  received  holy  orders  from  the  bishop  of 
Zealand,  embarked  at  Copenhagen  on  the  29th  of  No- 
vember, 1705,  and  after  a  pleasant  voyage,  arrived  at 
Tranquebar  on  the  9th  of  July,  170G. 

Here,  notwithstanding  their  commission  from  the  king 
of  Denmark,  the  missionaries,  instead  of  being  kindly 
received,  were  discouraged  and  opposed  by  the  Danish 
authorities.  Undismayed,  however,  by  the  various  diffi- 
culties which  surrounded  them,  and  fortifying  themselves 
by  the  study  of  the  word  of  God,  particularly  of  the  Acts 
of  the  Apostles,  and  by  prayer,  these  excellent  men 
entered  without  delay  on  their  arduous  undertaking. 
Their  first  object  was  to  acquire  the  knowledge  of  the 
Portuguese  language,  which,  from  its  introduction  two 
centuries  before,  was  now  generally  understood  by  the 
natives,  and  then  of  the  Tamul,  the  vernacular  language 
of  the  country  from  Madras  southward,  and  the  greater 
part  of  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula,  and  of  the  north 
2* 


18  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

of  Ceylon.  Such  was  their  zeal  and  diligence,  that  in 
the  course  of  a  few  months  they  had  acquired  a  sufficient 
knowledge  of  both  languages,  to  enable  them  to  catechise 
the  native  children  in  two  schools  which  they  had  estab- 
lished, and  which  they  supported  out  of  their  own  slender 
funds.*  Ziegenbalg  particularly  devoted  himself  to  the 
study  of  the  Tamul ;  and  such  was  his  extraordinary 
proficiency,  that  he  not  only  acquired  a  very  extensive 
acquaintance  with  the  books  written  in  that  language  on 
Hindoo  mythology  and  history,  but  soon  began  to  con- 
verse fluently  with  the  natives  on  moral  and  religious 
subjects. 

The  first  fruits  of  his  labors  in  this  interesting  field  was 
the  conversion  of  a  young  man  of  high  caste,  named 
Modaliapa,  who,  while  assisting  Ziegenbalg  in  acquiring 
the  knowledge  of  Tamul,  became  gradually  convinced 
of  the  errors  of  idolatry,  and  of  the  truth  of  the  divine 
religion  which  he  saw  so  admirably  exemplified  in  him 
and  his  fellow-missionary. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1707,  the  missionaries  publicly 
baptized  several  of  their  catechun)ens  in  the  Danish 
church  at  Tranquebar,  on  which  interesting  occasion 
Ziegenbalg  preached  in  Tamul  on  the  conversion  of  the 
heathen,  and  the  best  method  of  diffusing  the  knowledge 
of  the  gospel.  A  few  days  afterwards,  they  conferred  on 
one  of  their  converts  the  office  of  a  catechist,  to  assist 
them  in  the  instruction  of  his  native  countrymen ;  and  on 
the  14th  of  June,  notwithstanding  their  slender  means 
for  such  an  undertaking,  they  commenced  the  building 
of  a  church  for  the  use  of  the  mission.  Such  was  the 
blessing  with  which  this  pious  design  was  attended,  that 
with  the  assistance  of  those  who  were  friendly,  and  even 
of  some  who  were  at  first  opposed  to  it,  the  building  was 
completed  in  the  month  of  August  following,  and  conse- 
crated in  the  presence  of  a  large  assembly  both  of  Chris- 
tians, heathens,  and  Mohammedans.  This  church  was 
built  of  stone,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  native  population, 
a  little  out  of  the  town.  Here  the  missionaries  regularly 
preached  both  in  Portuguese  and  Tamul  twice  in  every 

*  The  account  of  the  early  lahors  of  Ziegenbalg  and  his  brethren 
of  the  Danish  mission,  particularly  in  the  study  of  the  Tamul 
language,  by  Niecamp  and  La  Croze,  is  highly  interesting  and 
instructive. 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  19 

week  ;  and  here,  after  baptizing  some  additional  catechu- 
mens, and  administering  the  holy  communion,  they  laid 
the  foundation  of  a  numerous  and  flourishing  church, 
composed  of  converts  well  prepared  and  instructed  in  the 
principles  of  the  gospel,  and  for  the  most  part  duly  ac- 
crediting the  sincerity  of  their  Christian  profession. 

Being  deeply  convinced  of  the  importance  of  early 
instruction,  the  missionaries  lost  no  time  in  establishing 
a  school  for  the  education  of  such  native  Tamul  children 
as  they  could  collect  for  this  purpose,  some  of  whom  they 
contrived  to  clothe  and  feed  at  their  own  expense.  To 
this  they  shortly  added  a  Portuguese  school.  The  zeal 
and  diligence  of  these  devoted  men  were  scarcely  ever 
exceeded. 

Amidst  the  blessing  of  God  which  followed  their  various 
labors,  the  faith  and  patience  of  these  pious  missionaries 
were  severely  tried  by  the  loss  of  two  considerable  remit- 
tances from  Europe,  by  the  shipwreck  of  the  vessels  on 
board  of  which  the  money  had  been  embarked,  and  still 
more  by  the  continued  opposition  of  the  European  in- 
habitants. To  such  a  height  had  this  arisen,  that  at  one 
period  the  excellent  Zicgenbalg  was  even  arrested  by  the 
Danish  governor,  and  detained  in  prison  for  four  months, 
during  which  his  firmness  and  activity  of  mind  were  as 
conspicuous  as  his  resignation  to  this  unjust  and  disgrace- 
ful proceeding. 

The  disinterestedness  and  self-denial  of  the  mission- 
aries, combined  with  the  assistance  of  some  charitable 
individuals,  enabled  them  to  defray  their  increasing  ex- 
penses until  the  month  of  July,  1709,  when  a  most  season- 
able and  important  supply  reached  them  from  Europe  by 
the  arrival  of  three  new  missionaries,  Messrs.  Grundler, 
Boeving,  and  Jordan,  bringing  with  them  a  considerable 
sum  of  money,  together  with  a  variety  of  stores  for  the 
use  of  the  mission.  The  persecution  which  the  mission- 
aries had  so  long  suffered  from  the  Danish  residents  was 
at  the  same  time  considerably  checked  by  the  authorita- 
tive interference  of  their  royal  patron,  the  King  of  Den- 
mark, who  sent  out  his  positive  commands  to  the  governor 
of  Tranquebar,  to  assist  and  encourage  their  pious  labors 
to  the  utmost  of  his  power. 

It  was  in  this  year  that  the  Danish  mission  became  first 
known  in  England,  by  the  translation  of  some  letters 


20  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

from  the  missionaries,  addressed  to  one  of  their  friends  in 
London.  The  attention  of  rehgioiis  persons  was  power- 
fully e.xcited  by  this  interesting  publication,  particularly 
that  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Boehm,  chaplain  to  Prince  George 
of  Denmark,  one  of  the  Ciirliest  members  of  the  Society 
for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  which  had  been  then 
a  few  years  established.  A  present  both  of  money  and 
books  was  immediately  sent  by  liie  Society  to  Tranqnebar, 
and  a  brief  but  cordial  notice  of  the  mission  was  inserted 
in  the  report  of  its  proceedings  for  that  year.  Such  was 
the  commencement  of  the  disinterested  and  important 
patronage  afforded  to  the  Danish  mission  by  that  venerable 
Society,  which,  while  it  reflected  honor  on  its  members, 
contributed  so  effectually  to  the  extension  and  support  of 
Christianity  in  India. 

In  1710,  Ziegenbalg  undertook  a  journey  to  Madras, 
to  ascertain  what  prospect  there  might  be  of  gaining 
access  to  the  heathen,  either  by  the  way  and  in  the 
neighboring  country,  or  in  the  town  itself,  with  a  view  to 
their  conversion  to  Christianity.  During  his  stay  at  this 
place,  Ziegenbalg  made  many  inquiries  respecting  the 
religious  wants  of  its  inhabitants.  "  Madras,"  he  writes, 
"is  advantageously  situated  for  spreading  Christianity, 
if  the  English  who  command  there  would  but  second  our 
endeavors,  or  join  with  us  in  propagating  the  gospel  in 
the  East." 

In  the  course  of  the  three  following  years,  independently 
of  a  considerable  sum  collected  by  a  general  contribution* 
among  its  members,  and  transmitted  to  the  ntissionaries, 
the  Society  printed,  principally  for  their  use,  an  edition 
of  the  Portuguese  New  Testament,  and  sent  out  to  them 
a  printing-press,  a  fount  of  Roman  and  Italic  types,  and 
a  large  quantity  of  paper  for  printing.  The  fate  of  the 
press  was  remarkable.  The  vessel  in  which  it  was  em- 
barked was  captured  by  the  French,  and  carried  to  the 
Brazils,  where  the  printer  who  had  charge  of  it  died  ;  but 
the  press,  which  lay  concealed  in  the  hold  of  the  vessel, 
having  been  re-purchased  by  the  Society,  was  in  the  fol- 
lowing spring  safely  landed  at  Madras.  About  the  same 
time,  the  missionaries  received  from  Germany  a  fount  of 
Tamul  characters.    They  afterwards  succeeded  in  casting 

*  La  Croze,  torn.  ii.  liv.  7. 


INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH.  31 

superior  Tamiil  types  at  Tranquebar,  and  attempted  the 
manufacture  of  paper,  and  were  thus  enabled  to  print  a 
variety  of  books  and  tracts,  which  were  eminently  useful 
in  the  dissemination  of  Christian  knowledge.  Of  these 
the  most  valuable  and  important  was  the  translation  of 
the  New  Testament  into  the  Tamul  language.  Ziegen- 
balg  had  early  conceived  the  design  of  this  great  under- 
taking, and  commenced  it  in  the  year  1708,  as  soon  as  he 
had  acquired  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  language  to 
write  it  with  correctness  and  elegance.  His  translation 
was  completed  in  1711,  but  the  printing  of  it  was  delayed, 
for  the  purpose  of  rendering  it  more  perfect  by  the  most 
careful  revision,  till  the  year  1714,  when  it  issued  from 
the  press  at  Tranquebar.  The  Romish  missionaries  had 
printed  various  tracts  in  Tamul,  but  they  were  chiefly 
catechisms,  the  lives*  of  saints,  or  other  legendary  tales 
of  their  church.  After  two  hundred  years,  in  which  they 
had  professed  to  preach  the  gospel,  it  was  reserved 
to  Ziegenbalg  to  be  the  first  to  translate  the  inspired 
record  into  one  of  the  most  prevalent  languages  of  India. 
"  May  God  Almighty,"  said  he,  addressing  the  Society 
for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge  on  transmitting  a  copy 
of  this  translation,  "prosper  our  labors  by  his  heavenly 
blessing,  and  grant  that  his  Holy  Word,  like  an  incor- 
ruptible seed,  may  be  scattered  among  these  nations,  to 
preserve  them  from  eternal  destruction  ! "  * 

The  King  of  Denmark  had  in  the  year  1711,  granted 
to  the  missionaries  at  Tranquebar  a  pension  of  two 
thousand  crowns,  and  in  1714  his  majestyt  founded  a 
college  at  Copenhagen,  for  the  purpose  of  superintending 
and  supporting  the  interests  of  the  mission.  The  number 
of  converts  now  amounted  nearly  to  three  hundred,  the 
greater  part  of  whom  had  been  received  into  the  church 
by  baptism.  The  schools  contained  upwards  of  eighty 
children,  who  were   nearly   all   supported   as  well   as  in- 

*  This  version  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  begun  by  Ziegenbalg,  and 
completed  by  his  associate  Schultz,  is  substantially  tiie  one  which 
promises  soon  to  have  an  extensive  distribution  among  the  Tamul 
people,  through  the  enterprise  of  American  Bible  and  Missionary 
Societies. — Am.  Ed. 

t  An  abstract  of  the  king's  instructions  to  the  INIissionary  College 
is  contained  in  the  volume  of  letters  from  Ziegenbalg  and  Plutscho 
to  their  friends  in  Europe.  They  are  highly  creditable  to  the  piety 
of  that  excellent  monarch. 


22  INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH. 

structed  by  the  missionaries  ;  and  the  number  of  persons 
employed  in  the  service  of  the  mission,  including  school- 
masters, catechists,  and  others,  exceeded  twenty.  This 
increasing  charge,  and  the  consequent  labors  and  respon- 
sibility whicli  residted  to  the  missionaries,  together  with 
the  difficulties  with  which  they  had  long  struggled,  in- 
duced Ziegeribalg  to  determine  on  a  voyage  to  Europe, 
whither  his  fiiend  Plutscho  had  already  returned,  for  the 
purpose  of  more  efiectually  promoting  the  important  work 
in  which  he  and  his  colleagues  were  engaged. 

Having,  therefore,  consigned  to  the  care  of  Grundler 
the  concerns  of  the  mission,  and  satisfactorily  arranged 
their  dilferences  with  the  Danish  governor,  he  embarked  . 
in  the  month  of  October,  1714,  and  was  accompanied  by 
a  young  native  convert.  With  his  a.ssistance,  Ziegenbalg 
occupied  his  time  during  the  voyage  in  translating  part 
of  the  Old  Testament  into  the  Tamul,  and  in  composing 
a  grammar  of  that  language  in  Latin,  which  was  printed 
at  Halle,  in  1716,  and  is  still  highly  esteemed  by  Oriental 
scholars.  On  the  1st  of  June,  1715,  Ziegenbalg  arrived 
at  Bergen,  in  Norway,  from  whence  he  repaired  to  Stral- 
sund,  in  Pomerania,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  himself 
and  his  Hindoo  companion  to  the  King  of  Denmark,  who 
was  then  personally  engaged  at  the  siege  of  that  place. 
After  a  most  gracious  reception  by  that  monarch,  who 
conferred  upon  him  the  title  of  "  Inspector  of  the  Mis- 
sions," he  proceeded  to  Copenhagen,  where  he  was  most 
cordially  welcomed,  and  made  some  arrangements  with 
the  Danish  East  India  Company  of  considerable  impor- 
tance to  the  mission  at  Tranquebar.  His  next  visit  was 
to  Professor  Francke,  at  Halle,  who  took  the  liveliest 
interest  in  his  labors,  and  who,  both  by  his  counsels  and 
his  contributions,  was  one  of  the  principal  supporters  of 
his  mission.  While  at  that  place,  he  married  a  lady  to 
whom  he  had  been  long  attached,  and  then  pursued  his 
course  to  England,  where  he  landed  towards  the  end  of 
the  year.  Here  he  was  received  with  the  cordiality  and 
respect  to  which  he  was  so  justly  entitled.  He  had  the 
honor  of  being  presented  to  king  George  I.,  who  made 
many  inquiries  respecting  the  mission,  and  assured  him 
of  his  royal  patronage.     The  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,* 

*  Dr.  Wake. 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  23 

and  the  Bishop  of  London,  treated  him  with  the  highest 
consideration  and  kindness.  By  the  former  of  these 
prelates  he  was  introduced  to  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge,  and  received  a  congratulatory  ad- 
dress in  Latin,  to  which  he  returned  an  admirable  reply  in 
Tamul,  immediately  adding  a  translation  of  his  speech 
into  Latin.  The  society  made  Ziegenbalg  a  liberal 
present  both  of  money,  paper,  and  books  ;  and  the  Direc- 
tors of  the  East  India  Company  having  generously  given 
him  a  free  passage  on  board  one  of  their  ships,  he  em- 
barked at  Deal  on  the  4th  of  March,  and  after  rather  a 
dangerous  voyage,  during  which  he  improved  his  knowl- 
edge of  the  English  language,  landed  at  Madras  on  the 
10th  of  August,  171G,  where  he  was  most  hospitably 
received  by  the  governor,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stevenson, 
chaplain  to  that  presidency. 

After  a  few  days'  refreshment  at  Madras,  Ziegenbalg 
rejoined  his  excellent  colleague,  Grundler,  at  Tranquebar, 
and  resumed  with  renewed  vigor  the  arduous  work  of  his 
mission.  They  immediately  instituted  a  seminary  for  the 
education  of  native  youths,  to  be  employed  as  catechists 
and  schoolmasters  ;  and  shortly  afterwards,  at  the  sugges- 
tion of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge, 
and  with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Stevenson,  and  the  appro- 
bation of  tlie  Governor  of  Madras,  they  established  Tamul 
and  Portuguese  schools  at  Madras  and  Cuddalore.  In 
the  course  of  the  following  year,  1717,  the  church  at 
Tranquebar  having  been  much  injured  by  an  inundation, 
the  missionaries  built  a  second,  and  appropriated  the  old 
one  to  the  instruction  of  catechumens  and  the  burial  of 
the  dead.  Ziegenbalg  was  incessantly  occupied  in  the 
translation  of  the  Bible  into  Tamul,  in  journies  to  some 
of  the  neighboring  districts,  and  in  religious  discussions 
both  with  Hindoos  and  Mohammedans. 

Amidst  these  labors  he  occasionally  corresponded  with 
the  friends  of  the  mission  in  Europe,  and  received  from 
them  the  warmest  assurances  of  approbation  and  support. 
Encouraged  by  the  condescension  of  king  George  I.,  he 
addressed  a  letter  to  that  monarch  on  the  duty  and  ex- 
pediency of  diffusing  the  gospel  in  the  British  colonies 
in  India.  In  reply  to  this  communication,  Ziegenbalg 
received  a  letter  from  his  royal  patron,  strongly  expressive 


24  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

of  his  majesty's  interest  in  the  success  of  the  sacred  cause 
in  which  he  was  engaged.* 

But  the  hibors  of  Ziegenbalg  were  drawing  rapidly  to  a 
close.  In  the  autumn  of  the  year  1718  the  health  of  this 
indefatigable  man  began  to  fail.  He  languished  for  a  few 
months  amidst  great  weakness  and  pain  ;  and  with  a  faint 
hope  of  relief  from  travelling,  he  commenced  a  journey 
along  the  coast.  Having  reached  Cuddalore,  he  found 
his  end  approaching,  and  sent  for  his  friend  Grundler, 
to  whom  on  his  arrival  he  expressed  the  most  humble  yet 
exalted  hope  of  heavenly  happiness  ;  and  having  received 
the  holy  communion,  and  requested  a  favorite  Lutheran 
hymn  to  be  sung,  he  expired  in  perfect  peace,  on  the  23d 
of  February,  1719,  in  the  3Gth  year  of  his  age,  deeply 
lamented  by  his  excellent  colleague  and  the  native  con- 
verts, and  esteemed  and  regretted  even  by  the  Pagans 
themselves. 

The  character  of  Ziegenbalg  was  indeed  truly  admira- 
ble. His  exalted  piety,  and  ardent  zeal,  were  regulated 
by  the  soundest  judgment,  and  tempered  by  dispositions 
and  manners  so  kinci  and  amiable,  that  he  attracted  and 
conciliated  all  around  him  ;  while  his  unwearied  activity, 
patience,  and  perseverance,  enabled  him  to  overcome  dif- 
ficulties which  to  many  would  have  proved  insuperable, 
and  to  establish  his  mission  upon  the  most  solid  founda- 
tion. His  translation  of  the  New  Testament  into  Tamul, 
is  alone  sufficient  to  immortalize  his  name ;  and  has 
proved,  as  he  fervently  implored,  when  he  commenced 
this  great  undertaking,  a  source  of  incalculable  and  end- 
less blessings  to  succeeding  generations  in  India. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  deatli  of  Ziegenbalg  was  in 
some  measure  repaired  by  the  arrival,  in  the  month  of 
September  following,  of  three  new  missionaries,  Messrs. 
Schultz,  Dnhl.and  Keistenmacher,  who  had  embarked  on 
board  an  English  East  Indiaman,  after  a  short  visit  to  this 
country,  during  which  they  experienced  the  usual  kind- 
ness and  munificence  of  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge.  Such  an  accession  to  the  mission 
was   peculiarly    seasonable   and    critical,    the    health   of 

*  This,  and  a  subsequent  letter  from  his  majesty  to  the  Danish 
'missionaries,  together  willi  a  truly  apostolic  letter  from  Archbishop 
Wake,  were  introduced  by  Dr.  Buchanan  in  his  Ecclesiastical  Me- 
moir, and  in  his  Christian  Researches. 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  25 

Grundler  having  already  suffered  a  severe  shock,  and 
being  still  extremely  feeble  and  precarious.  He  exerted 
himself,  however,  with  almost  prophetic  diligence  and 
vigor  in  preparing  his  new  colleagues  for  their  various 
labors,  as  if  anticipating  the  approaching  conclusion  of 
his  own.  This  excellent  man  survived  his  beloved  friend 
Ziegenbalg  little  more  than  a  year.  He  had  projected  a 
distant  journey,  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  the  gospel, 
and  in  prosecution  of  this  design  had  even  embarked  for 
Cuddalore ;  but  finding  himself  unable  to  proceed,  he  re- 
turned to  Tranquebar,  where  his  illness  rapidly  increased. 
On  the  15th  of  March  1720,  Grundler  performed  his  last 
public  service,  and  three  days  afterwards  resigned  his 
pious  spirit  into  the  hands  of  his  Redeemer,  and  was 
interred  in  the  Mission  Church,  near  the  remains  of  his 
departed  colleague. 

Schultz  now  became  the  superior  of  the  Danish  mission, 
and  proved  himself  worthy  of  following  his  admirable 
predecessors.  The  severe  losses  which  it  had  recently 
sustained,  excited  the  hopes  of  its  Roman  Catholic 
adversaries  in  India  that  it  must  be  abandoned,  and 
awakened  the  apprehensions  of  many  even  of  its  European 
friends. 

The  piety  and  energy  of  Schultz  and  his  fellow  mis- 
sionaries, were,  however,  fully  equal  to  this  trying  emer- 
gency. They  labored  diligently  in  the  acquisition  of  the 
native  languages,  in  which  they  were  soon  able  to  catechize 
and  preach  ;  and  instead  of  yielding  to  despondency,  they 
enlarged  the  sphere  of  their  labors.  Aided  by  the  liberal 
contributions  of  the  governors  of  Madras  and  Fort  St. 
David,  and  of  other  friends  both  in  India  and  Europe, 
they  increased  the  number  of  their  schools,  and  of  their 
publications  from  the  press,  and  resumed  the  visits  of 
their  predecessors  to  the  neighboring  towns  and  villages. 
Within  five  years  from  the  death  of  Ziegenbalg,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  converts  were  added  to  the  church. 

In  the  year  1724,  three  additional  missionaries,  Messrs. 
Bosse,  Pressier,  and  Walther,  who  had  been  selected  by 
Professor  Francke,  and  had  sailed  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  arrived 
at  Tranquebar.  They  were  charged  with  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Schultz,  from  Archbishop  Wake,  in  which  the  venerable 
primate,  after  expressing  his  satisfaction  at  this  augmenta- 
3 


26  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

tion  of  the  mission,  recommended  him  to  select  from  the 
native  converts  those  who  might  appear  to  be  the  best  quali- 
fied, and  to  associate  them  in  case  of  necessity  in  his 
evangelical  labors.  Such  was  the  ardor  of  the  new  mis- 
sionaries in  the  study  of  the  Portuguese  and  Tamul 
languages, which  they  had  commenced  during  the  voyage 
to  India,  that  within  three  months  after  their  arrival,  they 
were  able  to  enter  upon  their  duties  both  as  catechists 
and  preachers. 

Among  the  objects  to  which  Schultz  had  directed  his 
most  earnest  attention  was  the  continuation  of  the  transla- 
tion of  the  Old  Testament  into  Tamul,  which  Ziegenbalg 
had  conducted  only  as  far  as  the  book  of  Ruth.  He 
commenced  this  arduous  undertaking  early  in  the  year 
1723,  and  regularly  devoted  to  it  six  hours  every  day. 
Schultz  was  well  acquainted  with  the  original  Hebrew, 
and  consulted  most  of  the  European  versions.  He  was 
assisted  by  a  learned  brahmin  and  other  well-informed 
natives,  and  the  translation  underwent  a  careful  revision 
by  his  colleagues.  This  important  work  was  concluded 
in  1725,  and  the  first  part  of  it  was  immediately  com- 
mitted to  the  press.  In  1727  the  printing  was  completed, 
when  the  delight  of  presenting  to  the  native  converts  the 
whole  Bible  in  their  own  language,  made  him  forget  all 
the  toil  and  pains  which  it  had  cost  him  ;  while,  in  com- 
mon with  every  other  laborer  in  this  sacred  service,  he 
had  been  abundantly  repaid  during  its  progress  by  those 
copious  communications  of  divine  wisdom  and  strength, 
with  which  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  Word 
of  God  had  enriched  his  mind. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  1727  died  the  learned 
and  pious  Professor  Francke,  of  Halle,  who  had  con- 
tributed materially  to  the  establishment  of  the  Danish 
mission,  and  who,  more  than  any  other  person  in  Europe, 
had  labored  zealously  and  successfully  in  its  support.  On 
the  death  of  this  able  and  excellent  man,  the  Mission 
College  at  Copenhagen  requested  his  son,  who  succeeded 
him  in  the  professorship  at  Ilalle,  to  continue  the  corres- 
pondence which  his  father  had  so  beneficially  carried  on 
in  behalf  of  the  mission.  About  the  same  time,  his 
majesty  King  George  I.  addressed  a  second  most  encour- 
aging letter  to  the  missionaries  at  Tranquebar,  who  also 
received  a  considerable  present  in  money,  together  with 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  27 

paper  for  the  printing  of  tlie  Tamul  translation  of  the 
Bible,  from  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowl- 
edge. 

In  the  year  1723,  the  same  Society,  on  the  recommen- 
dation of  Mr.  Schultz,  undertook  the  sole  patronage  and 
support  of  a  mission  at  Madras.  With  the  assistance 
of  the  governor  and  council,  a  house  was  purchased  in 
the  Black  Town  for  the  use  of  the  mission,  of  which 
Schultz  took  charge,  and  to  which  he-  immediately  re- 
moved. There  he  preached  constantly  in  the  Tamul, 
Telinga,  and  Portuguese  languages ;  and  besides  the 
superintendence  of  schools  and  other  zealous  labors, 
translated  parts  of  the  Bible,  together  with  various  tracts 
on  religion,  into  Telinga  and  Hindostanee.  The  jealousy 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  priests,  no  less  than  of  some 
native  teachers,  as  in  other  places,  excited  considerable 
opposition,  in  some  instances  leading  to  open  violence, 
against  Schultz  himself,  as  well  as  some  of  the  Madras 
converts  ;  but  they  were  protected  by  the  governor,  their 
numbers  gradually  increased,  and  under  the  blessing  of 
God  the  new  mission  prospered. 

In  the  mean  time,  an  opening  had  been  providentially 
afforded  for  the  introduction  of  Christianity  into  the  king- 
dom of  Tanjore,  by  means  of  a  subaltern  officer  in  the 
service  of  the  rajah  of  that  country,  named  Rajanaiken. 
This  young  man,  whose  father  and  grandfather  were  Ro- 
man Catholics,  had  been  baptized  in  that  church,  and 
being  ardently  desirous  of  religious  knowledge,  he  had 
learned  to  read  when  he  was  about  twenty-two  years 
of  age.  From  the  Roman  Catholic  legends,  and  from 
the  priests  themselves,  he  derived  little  or  no  satisfaction  ; 
but  happening  to  visit  a  pandaram*  of  his  acquaintance, 
who  possessed  a  copy  of  Ziegenbalg's  Tamul  translation 
of  the  four  Gospels  and  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  he  was 
so  delighted  with  the  discovery,  that  he  read  it  night  and 
day,  and  transcribed  a  considerable  part  of  the  volume 
before  he  found  that  he  might  be  permitted  to  retain  it. 
About  two  years  afterwards,  having  been  sent  on  military 
duty  to  the  neighborhood  of  Tranquebar,  he  met  with  an 
address  of  the  missionaries  to  the  natives,  which  induced 
him  first  to  open  a  correspondence  with  them,  and  then 

*  A  Hindoo  devotee. 


28  INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH. 

to  visit  them.  In  consequence  of  the  instruction  which 
he  thus  received,  Rajanaiken  became  convinced  of  the 
errors  of  Popery,  and  cordially  embraced  the  reformed 
doctrines  ;  and  such  was  the  zeal  of  the  new  convert, 
that  he  immediately  began  to  instruct  his  countrymen, 
both  Pagan  and  Roman  Catholic.  The  first  fruits  of  his 
labors  were  three  of  his  own  soldiers,  who  were  in  the 
course  of  that  year  baptized  at  Tranquebar. 

The  example  of  Rajanaiken  was  soon  followed  by  that 
of  others.  Surappen,  a  native  who  had  been  converted 
to  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  and  was  at  that  time  em- 
ployed as  a  catechist,  perceiving  the  errors  of  the  Romish 
church,  sent  his  son  Sattianaden  to  Tranquebar,  to  be 
instructed  in  the  purer  principles  of  the  gospel.  Surappen 
was  in  the  mean  time  actively  engaged,  notwithstanding 
the  opposition  of  the  Roman  Catholic  missionaries,  in 
making  proselytes  to  the  Protestant  faith.  A  few  months 
afterwards,  Sattianaden  conducted  more  than  fifteen  con- 
verts to  be  baptized  at  Tranquebar  ;  and  having  offered 
his  services  in  the  propagation  of  the  gospel,  the  mission- 
aries established  him  as  a  catechist  in  the  kingdom  of 
Tanjore.*  Though  no  undue  means  were  resorted  to  by 
the  Danish  missionaries  or  their  catechists,  in  the  exercise 
of  their  Christian  ministry,  the  jealousy  of  the  Roman 
Catholics  was  so  much  excited  by  their  progress,  that  they 
persecuted  the  father  of  Sattianaden  till  they  compelled 
him  to  return  to  the  communion  of  their  church,  and  even 
refused  the  rites  of  sepulture  to  his  grandmother,  though 
she  died  in  the  Roman  Catholic  faith. 

Rajanaiken  was  also  exposed  to  their  persecutions. 
He  was  now  in  the  service  of  the  prince  of  Marava,  and 
being  confirmed  in  his  attachment  to  Christianity  by  fre- 
quent visits  to  Tranquebar,  he  was  unwearied  in  his 
endeavors  to  communicate  it  to  his  companions.  He 
succeeded  in  convincing  several  who  had  embraced  the 
Roman  Catholic  doctrines  of  their  errors,  and  amongst 
others  two  inferior  officers.  The  Popish  catechists  at- 
tempted in  vain  to  regain  them  to  their  church.  In  a 
discussion  upon  religion,  Rajanaiken  supported  his  senti- 
ments by  such  forcible  appeals  to  the  holy  Scriptures, 
that   his   adversaries  were   unable  to  reply  to  them.     He 

*  Niecamp,  vol.  ii.  p.  197. 


# 


INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH.  29 

then,  together  with  his  two  friends,  determined  on  quitting 
the  .military  service,  and,  though  at  the  sacrifice  of  his 
worldly  interest,  embraced  that  of  the  mission.  The 
Roman  Catholic  priests  became,  in  consequence,  more 
bitter  than  ever  in  their  persecution  of  the  Protestant 
converts,  circulated  the  most  calumnious  accusations 
against  Luther  and  the  reformed  doctrine,  and  even  excited 
their  followers  to  various  acts  of  personal  violence  against 
Rajanaiken  and  his  family.  Their  opposition,  however, 
not  only  failed  in  checking  the  progress  of  the  mission, 
but  even  tended  to  promote  its  success.  Numbers  both 
of  Pagans  and  Mohammedans,  as  well  as  Roman  Catholic 
Christians,  resorted  to  Tranquebar  for  instruction  ;  the 
access  to  the  kingdom  of  Tanjore,  which  had  been  closed 
against  Ziegenbalg,  was  effectually  opened,  and  a  journey 
shortly  afterwards  undertaken  by  Mr.  Pressier  into  that 
country  was  attended  by  the  happiest  effects.  At  the 
same  time,  Mr.  Schultz  and  Messrs.  Wallher  and  Bosse 
preached  with  success  along  the  coast  of  Coromandel. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  year  died  Malejappen, 
the  schoolmaster  who  had  accompanied  Ziegenbalg  to 
Europe.  He  was  an  excellent  translator,  and  much 
attached  to  the  interests  of  the  mission.  Several  other 
natives,  who  died  about  ihe  same  period,  gave  the  most 
satisfactory  evidences  of  their  faith  in  the  gospel. 

The  progress  of  the  missions,  both  at  Tranquebar  and 
Madras,  now  requiring  additional  help,  two  new  mission- 
aries, Messrs.  Worm  and  Reichsteig,  were  appointed  to 
the  former,  and  a  third,  Mr.  Sartorius,  was  taken  under 
the  immediate  patronage  of  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge  for  the  service  of  the  latter  station. 
They  arrived  at  Madras  in  August,  1730,  and  were  re- 
ceived by  Mr.  Schultz  with  cordial  delight  and  joy. 
Messrs.  Worm  and  Reichsteig,  after  a  stay  of  three  weeks, 
pursued  their  journey  to  Tranquebar  ;  Mr.  Sartorius  re- 
mained at  Madras,  and  applied  with  such  diligence  to  the 
study  both  of  the  Portuguese  and  Tamul,  that  he  soon  ac- 
quired a  facility  in  speaking  those  languages,  and  was  able 
to  converse  with  the  natives  of  the  neighboring  villages. 

The  Madras  mission,  which  had  been  supported  by  the 
late  governor,  Rlacrae,  was  equally  favored  by  the  protec- 
tion of  his  successor,  Mr.  Pitt  ;  and  towards  the  end 
of  the  year  1731,  Mr.  Schultz  received  a  most  encouraging 


30  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

letter  from  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  accompanied 
by  a  present  of  four  hundred  and  twenty  pagodas,  which 
enabled  him  to  repay  a  sum  which  he  had  borrowed,  and 
to  establish  a  second  school  for  native  children.  In 
acknowledging  this  liberal  donation,  Schultz  took  occa- 
sion to  solicit  of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 
Knowledge  still  further  assistance  in  the  work  of  the 
mission.  Mr.  John  Ernest  Giesler,  of  Halle,  was  in  con- 
sequence recommended  to  the  Society,  and  together  with 
Mr.  Cnoll,  who  was  appointed  to  act  as  physician  to  the 
mission,  embarked  at  Deal  in  July,  1732,  and  safely 
reached  Madras. 

Thus  strengthened,  the  missionaries  at  that  presidency 
proceeded  with  fresh  vigor  in  their  various  labors,  and  the 
blessing  of  God  evidently  accompanied  them.  Amongst 
others,  in  conjunction  with  their  brethren  at  Tranquebar, 
they  visited  Mr.  Engelbert,  the  chaplain  at  Negapatam, 
and  assisted  him  in  his  zealous  endeavors  to  promote 
Christianity  in  the  Dutch  settlements  on  that  coast.  In 
these  attempts  Mr.  Worm  was  particularly  distinguished 
by  the  ability  with  which  he  conversed  with  the  natives, 
convinced  them  of  their  errors,  and  conciliated  their  con- 
fidence, and  in  many  instances  he  was  successful  in  per- 
suading them  to  embrace  the  gospel.* 

The  missionaries  having  long  derived  essential  assis- 
tance from  the  labors  of  the  native  catechists,  and  the 
numbers  of  converts  in  the  neighboring  districts  being 
now  very  considerable,  deen\ed  it  highly  expedient  to 
provide  for  the  discharge  of  the  higher  functions  of  the 
ministry  by  one  of  their  own  countrymen.  For  this  im- 
portant purpose  they  selected  one  of  the  catechists  named 
Aaron,  a  man  of  respectable  family,  who  had  been  bap- 
tized by  Ziegenbalg,  and  who  had  for  many  years  been 
distinguished  both  by  his  personal  piety  and  by  his  talents 
and  usefulness  as  a  teacher.  At  the  close  of  the  year 
1733,  the  missionaries  from  Madras  united  with  their 
brethren  at  Tranquebar  and  the  chaplains  of  the  Danish 
factory,  in  ordaining  him  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
according  to  the  rites  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  was 
at  this  time  about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  and  his  long 
white  pastoral  robe,  like  that  of  the  Syrian  clergy,  corres- 


*  Niecamp,  vol.  iii.  p.  33 — 35. 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  31 

ponded  with  the  mild  and  amiable  character  of  his  appear- 
ance and  manner.  The  mother  and  sister  of  Aaron  had 
also  embraced  Christianity.  The  duty  of  the  new  minister 
was  to  preach  and  administer  the  sacraments  alternately 
in  a  district  of  Tanjore,  comprising  several  congregations 
of  Christians  ;  and  such  was  the  success  with  which  he 
labored,  that  in  the  course  of  the  following  year  he  had 
been  the  instrument  of  converting  no  less  than  fifty  of  his 
countrymen  to  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  The  services  of 
the  catechists,  particularly  of  Rajanaiken,  had  been  at  the 
same  time  eminently  beneficial. 

The  translation  of  the  Bible  into  the  Hindostanee 
language,  which  had  been  completed  in  1732  by  the 
learning  and  diligence  of  Mr.  Schultz,  though  not  printed 
till  some  years  afterwards,  was  a  work  from  which  the 
missionaries  anticipated  much  advantage  in  their  labors 
in  that  quarter. 

Mr.  Sartorius  having,  in  his  late  journey  to  Tranquebar, 
spent  some  days  at  Fort  St.  David,  the  governor  expressed 
his  readiness  to  assist  in  forming  a  mission  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. On  communicating  this  intelligence  to  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  Mr.  Schultz 
was  directed  in  the  next  despatch  to  take  measures  for 
that  purpose.  That  zealous  missionary  having  at  the 
same  time  reported  the  want  of  adequate  accommodation 
for  preaching  the  Word  of  God  in  the  only  house  then 
occupied  by  the  mission  at  Madras,  the  Society  immedi- 
ately obtained  the  consent  of  the  Court  of  Directors  to 
build  a  church  and  two  schools  at  that  presidency,  under 
the  superintendence  of  the  governor  of  Fort  St.  George 
and  the  agents  of  the  Society.  Instructions  were  accor- 
dingly sent  to  their  correspondents  to  commence  those 
buildings,  in  the  hope  that  though  their  present  remit- 
tances would  not  be  sufticient  for  so  considerable  a  work, 
the  providence  of  God  would  enable  them  to  complete  it 
the  following  year. 

The  attention  of  the  missionaries  at  Tranquebar  was 
in  the  year  1735  directed  to  the  practicability  of  extending 
their  Christian  labors  to  Bengal,  and  they  had  written  to 
request  the  assistance  of  their  friends  in  England  in  carry- 
ing this  design  into  execution,  and  had  received  their 
cordial  acquiescence,  when  it  was  painfully  interrupted 
by  the  premature  loss  of  two  of  their  number,  Messrs. 


32  INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH. 

Reichsteig  and  Worm.  These  excellent  men  had  been 
companions  on  the  voyage  to  India,  and  had  during  nearly 
five  years  been  zealous  and  indefatigable  in  the  discharge 
of  the  laborious  and  self-denying  duties  of  the  mission. 
They  died  at  Tranquebar  within  three  weeks  of  each 
other,  leaving  a  very  powerful  testimony  to  the  truth  and 
value  of  the  principles  and  promises  of  the  gospel.  Mr. 
Worm,  who  had  been  a  pupil  of  the  celebrated  Buddseus, 
professor  of  divinity  at  Jena,  was  a  man  of  superior  talents 
and  acquirements,  and  admirably  qualified  to  promote  the 
cause  of  Christianity  in  India.  His  loss  was  therefore 
severely  felt  by  his  colleagues  ;  but  amidst  the  regret  of 
being  thus  early  called  from  the  service  of  his  Lord  upon 
earth,  and  of  being  separated  from  an  affectionate  wife 
and  an  inflmt  daughter,  he  expressed  in  striking  terms 
the  peace  which  he  enjoyed,  and  his  lively  hope  of  future 
happiness.  His  widow  and  child,  however,  survived  him 
only  a  few  weeks.* 

Among  the  literary  labors  of  the  missionaries  at  this 
period,  besides  the  printing  of  the  Portuguese  Bible,  were 
a  grammar  in  Tamul  and  German,  and  a  History  of  the 
Church,  composed  by  Mr.  Waltlier  in  Tamul,  and  printed 
in  1735.  This  latter  work  was  occasioned  by  a  request  of 
the  catechist  Rajanaiken,  to  be  informed  as  to  the  origin 
and  progress  of  the  errors  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  in  order 
that  he  might  be  better  prepared  to  reply  to  the  objections, 
and  to  refute  the  false  opinions  of  the  Roman  Catholics. 
This  ecclesiastical  history,  which  overturned  the  pretended 
antiquity  of  the  Romish  Church,  and  which  was  extremely 
useful  to  the  country  catechists,  was  particularly  designed 
for  the  instruction  of  the  pupils  of  the  seminary,  who 
were  to  be  educated  as  catechists  and  schoolmasters. 
About  the  same  time  Mr.  Sartorius  completed  the  Tamul 
Dictionary  which  had  been  commenced  by  Ziegenbalg. 

The  presents  sent  to  the  missionaries  at  Tranquebar 
and  Madras,  from  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 
Knowledge,  amounted,  in  the  year  1736,  to  no  less  a  sum 
than  .£1,500,  and  in  the  following  year,  to  ^1,700  sterling; 
while  the  collections  in  Germany,  Denmark,  and  Sweden, 
on  several  occasions,  exceeded  three  thousand  crowns. 
The  zeal   and  liberality  of  professor  Francke,  of  Halle, 

*  Niecamp,  vol.  iii.  p.  124. 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  33 

in  promoting  these  subscriptions,  are  frequently  mentioned 
in  their  reports. 

The  mission  which  the  governor  of  Fort  St.  George  had 
promised  to  support,  was  in  the  year  17;J7  established  by 
Messrs.  Sartorius  and  Giesler,  at  the  neighboring  town 
of  Cuddalore.  The  missionaries  had  often  preached 
there  ;  and  though  at  first  the  native  inhabitants  were 
indisposed  to  hear  them,  great  numbers  were  in  process 
of  time  persuaded  to  embrace  the  gospel.  Tiiis  branch, 
however,  of  the  Madras  mission  did  not  long  enjoy  the 
benefit  of  Mr.  Sartorius'  labors.  That  active  and  valuable 
missionary  died  the  next  year,  and  was  buried  at  Cud- 
dalore ;  all  the  English  gentlemen  there  attending  his 
funeral.  His  loss  was  particularly  felt,  on  account  of  his 
remarkable  skill  in  the  Tamul  language;  the  most  learned 
natives  acknowledging  that  he  spoke  it  like  a  brahmin. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Sartorius  was  followed  by  that  of  Mr. 
Pressier,  at  Tranquebar,  after  twelve  years  of  fiilliful  and 
effective  service  in  that  mission.  The  loss,  however,  of 
these  pious  men,  was  happily  repaired,  by  the  arrival  of 
three  new  missionaries,  viz.,  Mr.  Wiedel)rcEck,  and  Messrs. 
Obuch  and  Kolhoff,  who  had  studied  for  some  years  at 
Halle.  The  mission  was  farther  strengthened,  by  the 
embarkation,  in  the  year  1739,  of  INIr.  Kicrnander,  who 
had  been  a  teacher  in  the  Orphan  House,  and  was  recom- 
mended by  professor  Francke  to  succeed  Mr.  Sartorius 
in  the  mission  at  Cuddalore.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Messrs.  Fabricius  and  Zegler,  from  the  Royal  Mission 
College  at  Copenhagen,  whose  immediate  destination  was 
to  Tranquebar.  By  the  ship  in  which  these  missionaries 
sailed,  thirteen  chests,  valued  at  £l,5d0,  including,  be- 
sides books,  and  printing  and  other  paper,  foreign  silver 
for  the  use  of  the  mission,  were  sent  as  usual,  free  of 
freight,  by  the  kindness  of  the  Court  of  Directors  of  the 
East  India  Company. 

In  the  year  1740,  Mr.  Schultz,  in  addition  to  the 
preparation  of  some  native  youths  for  the  service  of  the 
mission,  as  catechists  and  schoolmasters,  accomplished 
the  important  point  of  commencing  a  Tamul  school  for 
the  children  of  heathen  parents,  under  a  Christian  school- 
master. He  began  with  eight  boys,  sons  of  merchants 
and  tradesmen  at  Cuddalore,  and  indulged  the  hope  that 
this  measure  would    not  only  lead  to  a  more   intimate 


34  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

acquaintance  with  the  inhabitants,  but,  by  the  blessing 
of  God,  tend  to  the  introduction  of  Christianity  among 
the  natives.  In  this  year  the  missionaries  and  catechists 
at  Tranquebar  were  remarkably  favored  by  the  numbers 
added  to  their  congregations.  They  also  nearly  com- 
pleted their  new  school  buildings  ;  while  at  Cuddalore 
the  mission  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Giesler  was  gradually 
prospering. 

With  the  approbation  of  the  Mission  College  at  Copen- 
hagen, they,  at  the  close  of  the  year,  ordained  the  catechist 
Diego,  who  had  long  been  most  diligently  and  faithfully 
engaged  in  that  humble  but  useful  employment,  to  assist 
the  native  preacher,  Aaron,  who  was  now  become  infirm, 
and  unable  to  perform  his  ministerial  duties  to  a  large 
congregation. 

The  general  cause  of  the  mission  sustained  a  great  loss 
in  the  year  1742,  by  the  return  to  Europe  of  Mr.  Schultz, 
in  consequence  of  ill  health,  after  more  than  twenty  years' 
residence  in  India.  His  place  was  immediately  supplied 
by  Mr.  Fabricius,  who  entered  upon  the  arduous  duties 
of  that  station  with  that  deep  humility  and  dependence 
on  the  providence  and  grace  of  God,  which  formed  the 
best  security  for  the  success  of  his  labors. 

The  enlargement  of  their  missions  had  now  for  some 
time  pressed  heavily  on  the  funds  of  the  Society  for  Pro- 
moting Christian  Knowledge,  and  they  even  began  to  fear 
that  they  should  not  be  able  to  meet  its  increasing  ex- 
penditure. They  were,  however,  encouraged  by  "  a  most 
friendly  and  Christian  letter  from  professor  Francke,  full 
of  good-will  towards  the  missions  at  Madras  and  Cudda- 
lore," and  remitting  ,£250  towards  their  support.  Ani- 
mated by  this  seasonable  aid,  they  requested  that  excellent 
man  to  provide  two  additional  missionaries  for  those  sta- 
tions, trusting,  as  they  piously  declared,*  "that  the  same 
wise  and  good  providence  of  God  which  had  hitherto 
blessed  them  in  ail  their  undertakings  to  spread  the  pure 
gospel  of  his  Son  Christ  Jesus  in  all  parts  of  the  world, 
would  raise  up  benefactors  to  contribute  whatever  might 
be  wanted  towards  it."  Accordingly,  in  the  following 
year  professor  Francke  sent  out,  at  his  own  charge,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Breithaupt  and  Klein,  to  Tranquebar ;  and 

*  Reports  of  the  Society. 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  35 

oul  of  his  affectionate  regard  to  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge,  he  remitted  a  further  sum  of  .£300 
towards  the  support  of  the  two  missions  at  Madras  and 
Cuddalore.  Two  years  afterwards,  the  same  liberal  and 
zealous  benefactor  sent  an  additional  donation  of  200?.  ; 
on  which  occasion  the  Society  expressed  its  earnest  wishes 
for  the  general  diffusion  of  the  truly  Christian  spirit 
which  animated  that  distinguished  friend  to  the  cause  of 
missions. 

The  annual  reports  of  the  Society  at  this  period  contain 
many  gratifying  statements  of  the  successful  labors  of  the 
missionaries.  The  two  native  preachers,  Aaron  and 
Diego,  in  their  travels  through  the  villages  of  the  district 
which  had  been  assigned  to  them,  were  eminently  useful ; 
and  so  numerous  were  their  converts  in  some  of  them, 
that  it  became  necessary,  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
country,  to  appoint  a  Christian  warden  or  superintendent 
over  them.  The  former  of  these  pious  men  finished  his 
course  in  June  1745,  after  eleven  years  of  diligent  service 
as  an  itinerant  pastor  and  teacher,  having,  during  that 
period,  been  the  means  of  converting  many  hundred  souls. 
His  end  appears  to  have  been  hastened  by  his  journeyings 
and  fatigues ;  and  such  was  his  amiable  character,  and 
his  holy  and  exemplary  conduct,  that  he  was  almost 
equally  lamented  by  the  missionaries,  and  by  his  native 
countrymen. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Obuch,  one  of  the  missionaries  at 
Tranquebar,  followed  shortly  after  that  of  the  pastor  Aaron. 
He  was,  according  to  the  testimony  of  his  colleagues, 
a  most  faithful  and  affectionate  brother,  conscientious  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  persevering  in  it  even  to 
the  disregard  of  life,  so  that  he  might  fulfil  the  ministry 
which  he  had  received,  and  finish  his  course  with  joy. 

The  war  between  France  and  England,  which  com- 
menced in  1744,  having  extended  to  India,  in  September 
1746,  a  French  fleet  appeared  off  Madras  ;  and  having 
landed  a  body  of  troops,  after  a  bombardment  of  five 
days,  Fort  St.  George  was  compelled  to  capitulate.  The 
French  commander  at  first  promised  to  protect  the  mis- 
sion ;  but  soon  afterwards,  having  ordered  a  great  part  of 
the  Black,  or  native.  Town  to  be  levelled  with  the  ground, 
for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  defence  of  Madras,  the 
Mission  House  was  destroyed,  and  the  church  converted 


36  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

into  a  magazine.  Upon  this  unexpected  calamity,  Mr. 
Fabricius  retired  with  the  children  of  the  mission  school 
to  Pulicat,  a  Dutch  settlement  in  the  neighborhood,  where 
the  governor  gave  them  a  kind  and  hospitable  reception. 
Here,  with  the  assistance  of  a  catechist  and  two  school- 
masters, he  took  charge  not  only  of  the  Christians  who 
were  with  him,  but  of  the  converts  near  Madras,  con- 
stantly visiting  the  villages  around  him  to  disseminate  the 
principles  of  the  gospel.  On  the  restoration  of  peace  in 
1748,  Mr.  Fabricius  returned  to  Madras,  and  through  the 
good  offices  of  Admiral  Boscawen,  the  English  n)ission, 
after  some  delay,  obtained  possession  of  a  spacious  church 
at  Vepery  near  the  town,  with  the  houses  and  gardens 
attached  to  it,  which  had  belonged  to  the  Roman  Catholic 
missionaries,  but  from  which  they  had  been  expelled,  on 
account  of  their  treasonable  communications  with  the 
French  during  the  war.  It  is  due  to  the  memory  of  Mr. 
Fabricius,  to  notice  his  zeal  and  charity  during  this  critical 
period,  in  abating  nearly  one  third  of  his  salary,  and 
living  himself  in  the  simplest  manner,  carrying  the  fruits 
of  his  self-denying  economy  to  the  account  of  the  mission 
fund.  The  llomish  church  at  Cuddalore  was  at  the  same 
time  transferied  by  the  governor  of  Fort  St.  David  to 
Mr.  Kiernander,  by  the  name  of  Christ's  Church,  for  the 
use  of  the  nussionaries  of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Chris- 
tian Knowledge, .and  as  a  place  of  public  worship  for  the 
increase  of  the  Protestant  religion. 

Having  thus  reviewed  the  origin  and  progress  of  the 
missions  at  Tranqiiebar  and  Madras,  up  to  the  year  in 
which  the  venerable  subject  of  the  following  Memoirs 
embarked  for  India,  a  brief  recapitulation  of  the  actual 
state  of  the  missions  at  that  period,  and  of  the  success 
which  had  attended  their  various  labors,  may  properly 
close  this  preliminary  sketch. 

It  appears  by  the  returns  regularly  made  to  the  Mission 
College  at  Copenhagen,  and  to  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge,  that  from  the  arrival  of  Zicgenbalg 
in  1706,  to  the  year  1750,  the  numbers  of  the  converts 
at  Tranquebar,  and  in  the  towns  and  villages  of  the 
neighboring  districts,  to  which  the  missionaries  and  their 
catechists  and  teachers  had  access,  amounted  to  nearly 
eight  thousand  ;  and  that  from  the  year  1728  to  the  same 


INTRODUCTORY   SKETCH.  37 

period,  the  converts  at  Madras  and  Cuddalore,  and  along 
the  coast  of  Coromandel,  might  be  estimated  at  more  than 
one  thousand.  Of  these  a  very  small  proportion  were 
proselytes  from  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  ;  though  such 
is  the  general  ignorance  of  the  converts  from  heathenism 
by  the  missionaries  of  that  church,  that,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  unmeaning  forms,  they  could  scarcely  be 
considered  as  differing  from  their  pagan  countrymen. 
A  few  instances  occurred  of  conversion  from  the  iMoham- 
medans,  hut  their  well-known  prejudice  and  bigotry  ren- 
dered these  extremely  rare.  The  great  majority  of  the 
Protestant  converts  were  native  Hindoos  or  their  children, 
chiefly,  as  might  be  expected,  though  by  no  means  ex- 
clusively, even  at  that  period,  of  the  lower  castes  of  the 
inhabitants. 

It  is  not  intended  to  be  asserted  that  all  these  converts 
were  well-informed  and  consistent  Christians;  but  one 
of  the  principal  features  in  the  history  of  these  Protestant 
missions  is,  the  unwearied  diligence  and  the  scrupulous 
care  and  conscientious  fidelity,  with  which  the  mission- 
aries and  other  teachers  labored  to  prepare  their  catechu- 
mens for  baptism,  and  to  instruct  their  congregations  in 
the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  gospel,  and  the  primitive 
discipline  which  they  exercised  over  them.  Their  peri- 
odical reports  afford  many  unquestionable  proofs  and  most 
interesting  memorials  of  the  faith  and  piety  of  their  con- 
verts, many  examples  of  Christian  virtue,  and  many  in- 
stances of  opposition  and  persecution,  "for  righteousness' 
sake,"  sustained  with  a  steadfastness,  meekness,  and 
patience  well  worthy  of  the  purest  ages  of  the  church, 
the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of  which  cannot  fairly 
be  doubted.  Many  a  death-bed  scene  also  is  recorded  in 
these  reports,*  in  which  the  dying  Hindoo,  and  not  un- 
frequently  the  female  convert,  expressed  with  intelligence, 
humility,  and  ardent  gratitude,  the  heartfelt  penitence, 
the  holy  dispositions,  and  the  heavenly  hopes  of  the  true 
Christian.  Even  where  the  instructions  and  exhortations 
of  the  missionaries  failed  of  producing  any  effectual  change 

*  Upon  all  these  points  the  original  acts  of  the  Danish  mission  in 
German,  or  the  admirable  abridgment  of  them  by  Niecamp,  either 
in  Latin  in  two  volumes  quarto,  or  in  the  French  translation  of 
M.  Gaudard,  with  a  preface  by  professor  Francke,  may  be  advan-> 
tageously  consulted. 
4 


38  INTRODUCTORY  SKETCH. 

of  religious  profession,  there  was  often  a  strong  conviction 
on  the  native  mind  of  the  folly  of  idolatry,  and  the  truth 
of  Christianity  as  a  divine  revelation  ;  and  a  very  general 
impression  was  evident  in  its  favor  from  the  unwearied 
and  disinterested  labors,  and  the  holy  and  exemplary  lives 
of  the  Christian  teachers.  Nor  was  this  all.  The  dis- 
persion of  the  various  translations  of  the  holy  Scriptures, 
and  the  distribution  of  numerous  tracts  and  treatises, 
printed  at  the  Tranquebar  press,  tended  to  disseminate 
Christian  knowledge  and  Christian  principles,  far  beyond 
the  narrow  limits  of  the  Protestant  missions  and  their 
immediate  vicinity,  and  to  prepare  the  way  for  that  more 
extensive  diffusion  of  the  gospel  in  India,  which  we  have 
happily  lived  to  witness. 


MEMOIR 


THE    REV.    C.    F.    SWARTZ 


CHAPTER    I. 

Early  life  and  Education  of  Swartz. — His  removal  to  Halle. — 
Proposal  to  go  out  as  a  Danish  missionary  to  Tranquebar. — He 
obtains  the  consent  of  his  father. — His  Ordination. — Departure 
for  England,  and  kind  reception  by  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge. — He  embarks  for  India. — Account  of  his 
voyage. — He  arrives  at  Tranquebar. — First  occupations  at  the 
Mission. 

Though  the  honor  of  originating  the  first  Protestant  mis- 
sion to  India  belongs,  as  we  have  seen,  to  Denmark,  it  is 
remarkable  that,  from  its  commencement,  the  majority 
of  those  who  have  been  engaged  in  its  service,  have  been 
natives  of  Germany.  Of  this  number  was  the  distin- 
guished subject  of  these  Memoirs. 

Christian  Frederick  Schwartz,*  was  born  at  Sonnen- 
burg,  a  small  town  in  the  Electorate  of  Brandenburgh, 
now  the  kingdom  of  Prussia,  on  the  26th  of  October, 
1726.  His  father's  name  was  George,  and  his  station  in 
life  appears  to  have  been  respectable.     The  family  name 

*  This,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  observe,  is  the  correct  orthog- 
raphy of  his  name,  and  that  which  he  used  in  the  earlier  period 
of  his  life  ;  but  as,  during  the  greater  part  of  it,  he  invariably 
adopted,  both  in  corresponding  with  his  friends,  and  in  public 
documents,  the  simpler  form,  probably  from  its  more  easy  pro- 
nunciation, and  is  by  this  generally  known,  he  will  be  thus  desig- 
nated in  the  following  Memoirs. 


40  MEMOIRS   OF 

of  his  mother  was  Gruner.  This  pious  woman  died 
during  his  infancy  ;  but  on  her  death-bed,  she  irj  the  most 
solemn  manner  informed  her  husband  and  the  pastor  who 
attended  her,  that  she  had  dedicated  her  son  to  the  Lord, 
and  obtained  a  promise  from  them  both,  that  he  should 
be  trained  up  in  the  remembrance  of  this  sacred  destina- 
tion ;  and  that  if  he  should  in  due  time  express  a  desire 
to  be  educated  for  the  ministry,  they  would  cherish  and 
promote  it  to  the  utmost  of  their  power. 

At  the  age  of  eight  years  young  Swartz  was  sent  to  the 
principal  grammar  school  at  Sonnenburg,  where,  together 
with  the  elements  of  classical  learning,  he  received  many 
good  impressions  from  the  moral  and  religious  instructions 
of  its  rector,  Mr.  Helm.  This  excellent  person  particu- 
larly enforced  upon  his  pupils  the  importance  of  private 
devotion,  and  encouraged  them  to  offer  up  their  petitions 
in  language  suggested  by  their  own  feelings.  Swartz 
afterwards  declared,  that  even  at  that  early  age  he  used 
frequently  to  retire  from  his  youthful  companions  into 
solitude,  and  there  pour  out  his  heart  before  God  ;  that 
he  found  this  practice  highly  beneficial,  and  that  when 
conscious  especially  of  having  acted  wrong,  he  could  never 
regain  tranquillity  of  mind,  until  he  had  earnestly  implored 
the  divine  forgiveness. 

On  the  removal  of  Mr.  Helm  by  his  entrance  on  minis- 
terial duty,  his  successor  neglected  the  religious  improve- 
ment of  his  scholars,  and  Swartz  became  comparatively 
indifferent. 

Having  now  acquired  as  much  knowledge  of  Latin  and 
Greek  as  the  school  of  his  native  place  could  afford  him, 
together  with  the  rudiments  of  Hebrew,  he  was  sent  to  an 
academy  at  the  neighboring  town  of  Custrin,  to  pursue 
his  studies,  and  to  be  q\ialified  for  the  university.  The 
father  of  Swartz,  who  was  evidently  a  man  of  .sense  and 
piety,  had  always  accustomed  him  to  much  simplicity  and 
self-denial.  He  walked  on  foot  with  him  to  Custrin, 
where  he  consigned  him  to  the  care  of  his  new  master, 
and,  unlike  the  parents  of  two  of  his  young  friends  from 
the  same  town,  allowed  him  no  more  money  than  was 
required  for  his  necessary  expenses.  Here,  by  associating 
with  some  thoughtless  companions,  his  heart  became  still 
more  alienated  from  God,  though  he  endeavored  to  pre- 
serve a  correct  deportment.     Occasionally,  his  good  im- 


THE   REV.   C.  F.   SWARTZ.  41 

pressions  were  revived  by  the  animated  discourses  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Stegmann,  one  of  the  parochial  ministers  of 
Custrin ;  but  lie  imagined  that  it  was  not  possible  for  him, 
while  he  remained  there,  to  lead  a  religious  life,  having 
no  just  conception  at  that  time  of  the  nature  of  genuine 
piety,  and  not  perceiving  the  necessity  of  divine  strength 
to  enable  him  to  persevere  in  a  Christian  course.  While 
at  this  place,  happily  for  his  future  improvement,  he 
became  acquainted  with  one  of  the  Syndics,  who  had 
formerly  been  a  student  at  Halle,  and  who  retained  great 
respect  for  the  professors  of  that  university.  The  daughter 
of  this  gentleman,  who  appears  to  have  taken  a  lively 
interest  in  the  young  scholar,  endeavored  to  point  out  to 
him  his  previous  errors,  and  to  convince  him  of  the  im- 
portance of  greater  decision  of  character.  She  lent  him 
several  books,  among  which  was  the  remarkable  narrative 
of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Orphan  House  at  Glaucha, 
near  Halle,  entitled  "  Demonstrations  of  the  footsteps  of  a 
divine  Being  yet  in  the  World,"  by  the  celebrated  Augus- 
tus Hermann  Francke.  This  extraordinary  work  made 
a  deep  impression  upon  his  mind.  It  first  inspired  him 
with  a  wish  to  visit  Halle,  and  proved,  in  fact,  the  turning 
point  of  his  future  destination.  When  reviewing,  how- 
ever, this  period  of  his  life,  Swartz  afterwards  observed 
that  he  was  diligent  in  study,  but  chiefly  from  worldly 
motives  ;  and  that  twice  in  seasons  of  dangerous  illness 
he  had  resolved  to  devote  himself  entirely  to  God,  but  that 
he  soon  forgot  his  good  resolutions. 

On  his  return  from  Custrin,  well  prepared  by  his 
progress  in  learning  for  the  university,  and  havincr  ex- 
hibited in  his  general  conduct  a  striking  contrast  to  that 
of  his  two  companions  from  Sonnenburg,  his  father,  re- 
ferring to  the  strict  economy  which  he  had  e.xercised  with 
respect  to  his  expenses,  thus  addressed  him  :  "  My  dear 
Frederick,  you  may,  perhaps,  have  sometimes  repined  on 
comparing  your  homely  food  and  clothing  with  that  of 
others :  and  possibly  you  may  have  thought  that  your 
father  did  not  love  you  so  much  as  the  parents  of  some 
of  your  friends  ;  but  I  trust  that  your  own  good  sense, 
and  the  painful  example  of  their  failure  will  have  led  you 
to  perceive  my  reasons  for  inuring  you  to  hardships,  and 
never  encouraging  you  in  self-indulgence.  I  may  now 
justly  hope  that  in  whatever  situation  it  may  please  God 
4  * 


42  MEMOIRS   OF 

to  place  you,  you  will  be  qualified  to  sustain  it:" — 
a  sentiment  which  was  virtually  prophetic  of  his  future 
arduous  and  self-denying  career. 

In  the  year  174(j  Swartz  proceeded  to  Halle,  with  a 
view  of  attending  the  Grammar  School  of  the  Orphan 
House  ;  but  his  distinguished  countryman,  Schultz,  who, 
as  we  have  seen,  had  returned  from  the  Madras  mission 
three  years  before,  and  was  then  residing  at  Halle,  ad- 
vised liim  to  enter  the  university  at  once,  as  he  had 
attained  his  twentieth  year,  and  was  already  sufficiently 
grounded  in  elementary  knowledge.  He  accordingly 
followed  this  advice,  and  diligently  attended  the  lectures 
of  the  professors  Baumgarten,  Michaelis,  Knapp,  and 
Freylinghausen,  boarding  and  lodging  in  the  mean  time 
at  the  Orphan  House.  While  pursuing  his  studies  there, 
he  was  chosen  to  be  preceptor  to  the  Latin  classes,  and 
to  assist  in  the  evening  assemblies  for  prayer,  appointed 
by  the  venerable  founder  to  be  held  with  the  attendants 
and  servants  of  the  institution.  These  pious  employ- 
ments were  highly  beneficial  to  him  ;  and,  together  with 
the  instruction  which  he  received  at  the  devotional  meet- 
ings, under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  G.  F.  Weiss,  In- 
spector of  the  German  School,  and  his  intercourse  with 
the  learned  and  pious  professor  Francke,  confirmed  him 
in  the  determination  of  devoting  himself  to  God,  and 
established  him  in  that  truly  Christian  course,  the  e,x- 
cellence  of  which  his  subsequent  life  so  strikingly  dis- 
played. 

It  was  at  this  time  in  contemplation  to  print  a  new 
edition  of  the  Bible,  in  'I'amul,  fit  Halle,  under  the  super- 
intendence of  the  late  missionary  Schultz,  who  was  also 
carrying  through  the  press  a  devotional  tract,  which  he 
had  translated  into  the  same  language,  for  the  purpose 
of  distribution  in  India.  In  connection  with  another  of 
the  students,  Swartz  was  recommended  to  acquire  some 
knowledge  of  Tamul,  in  order  to  qualify  him  to  assist  in 
correcting  the  printing  of  these  works  ;  but  though  the 
intended  edition  of  the  Bible  was  not  eventually  carried 
into  execution,  this  study  occupied  him  for  several  months, 
and  probably  first  directed  his  mind  towards  the  sphere 
of  his  future  labors.  While  thus  engaged,  Swartz  learned 
that  professor  Francke  was  making  inquiries  for  new  mis- 
sionaries to  India ;  and  though  the  idea  of  such  an  em- 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  43 

ployment  had  but  recently  occurred  to  him,  he  determined, 
if  he  could  obtain  his  father's  approbation,  to  offer  him- 
self for  that  important  work. 

For  this  purpose  he  made  a  journey  to  his  native  place. 
But  here  every  thing  seemed  unfavorable  ;  for,  being  the 
eldest  son,  he  was  considered  the  chief  prop  of  the  family, 
and  no  member  of  it  would  believe  that  his  father  could 
be  brought  to  consent  to  such  a  project.  Swartz,  how- 
ever, stated  his  wishes,  together  with  the  motives  which 
influenced  him,  with  great  seriousness  and  solemnity,  to 
his  father;  who,  instead  of  putting  an  immediate  negative 
upon  the  proposal,  as  had  been  expected,  replied,  that  he 
would  take  two  or  three  days  to  consider  of  it,  and  fixed 
a  time  for  declaring  his  determination.  'I'he  important 
day  arrived  ;  and  the  family  waited  with  divided  anxiety 
for  the  decision  ;  the  young  candidate  for  this  arduous 
undertaking  afraid  of  a  refusal,  though  not  afraid  of  a 
consent.  At  length,  his  father  came  down  from  his 
chamber,  gave  him  his  blessing,  and  bade  him  depart  in 
God's  name  ;  charging  him  to  forget  his  native  country 
and  his  father's  house,  and  to  go  and  win  many  souls 
to  Christ. 

Having  thus  obtained  his  disinission,  he  hastened  his 
departure;  and,  generously  resigning  his  patrimony  to  his 
brothers  and  sisters,  he  returned  to  Halle.  A  few  days 
afterwards,  an  advantageous  offer  was  made  to  him  of 
entering  upon  the  ministry  at  home  ;  but  he  felt  that  the 
die  was  cast,  and  that  having  deliberately  put  his  hand 
to  the  plough,  it  did  not  become  him  to  look  back.  How 
manifestly  this  determination  originated  in  the  superin- 
tending ])rovidcnce  of  God,  and  was  crowned  with  his 
blessing,  the  subsequent  history  of  this  eminent  missionary 
has  abundantly  proved. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1749,  Swartz  set  out  for  Copen- 
hagen, for  the  purpose  of  receiving  holy  orders,  accom- 
panied by  two  other  new  missionaries  to  India,  Messrs. 
Poltzenhagen  and  Hutteman.  They  reached  that  city 
on  the  23d,  were  examined  on  the  Gtli  of  September  by 
Dr.  Hersleb,  Bishop  of  Zealand  and  Primate  of  Denmark, 
and  ordained  to  the  sacred  ministry  by  Bishop  Horreboa  ; 
and  on  the  19th  they  left  Copenhagen  on  their  return  to 
Halle. 

Every  necessary  preparation  having  been  made  for  their 


44  MEMOIRS   OF 

intended  voyage,  the  three  missionaries  took  their  leave 
of  their  pious  and  excellent  friends  in  that  university  ; 
and  it  being  intended  tlmt  they  should  proceed  to  India 
by  way  of  England,  they  rejjaired  to  Helvoetsluys,  where 
they  embarked,  and  reached  Harwich  on  the  Gth  of  De- 
cember ;  the  next  day  they  pursued  their  journey  to 
Colchester,  and  on  the  Sth  arrived  in  London.  There 
they  remained  six  weeks,  during  which  time  they  were 
diligently  employed  in  learning  the  English  language, 
and  in  preparing  for  their  important  destination.  Tliough 
they  were  not  Ibrmally  presented  at  any  public  meeting 
of  the  board,  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowl- 
edge most  kindly  received  and  provided  for  them  during 
their  stay  in  this  country.  The  following  extracts  transla- 
ted from  two  letters  of  Swartz  in  German,  to  the  Rev, 
Dr.  Francke,  contain  some  interesting  particulars  of  their 
feelings  and  occupations  from  the  time  of  their  departure 
from  Halle.  The  commencement  of  the  first  is  very 
characteristic  of  his  mind,  and  is  dated  from  Kensington, 
J  Sth  of  December,  1749. 

"  God  hath  ordered  all  things  well  on  the  voyage.  Our 
hearts  (more  especially  mine)  were  very  cheerful  during 
the  storming  and  raging  of  tiie  sea;  and  I  have  frequently 
reminded  myself  of  tiie  4Gth  psalm  with  great  joy.  Praised 
be  God  !  This  ought  to  be  the  beginning,  middle,  and 
end  of  my  letter.  If  God  maketh  this  only  to  resound  in 
our  hearts,  that  he,  Jehovah,  our  sun  and  shield,  is  with 
«s,  we  can  then  not  only  be  tranquil,  but  cheerful. 

"Our  occupations  here  have  been  of  singidar  use,  and 
a  great  refreshment  to  us.  In  every  difficulty  we  could 
have  recourse  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ziegenhagen,  the  venerable 
chaplain  of  his  Majesty,  who  has  behaved  to  us  with 
paternal  kindness,  and  has  given  us  such  plain  directions 
as  we,  like  inexperienced  children,  stood  in  need  of.  This 
was  our  daily  occupation,  to  take  lessons  and  receive 
instruction.  Then  we  had  also  to  preach  a  few  sermons  ; 
I  twice,  namely,  once  in  the  royal  chapel  on  the  first  day 
of  the  Nativity,  and  afterwards  ilir  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pittius  at 
the  Savoy  ;  Mr.  Poltzenhagen  four  times,  and  Mr.  Hutte- 
man  three.  May  God  bless  what  has  been  spoken  in 
great  weakness  ! " 

The  directors  of  the  East  India  Company  having,  at 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  45 

the  request  of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowl- 
edge, kindly  granted  the  three  missionaries  a  free  passage 
on  board  tlie  Lynn,  Captain  Egertoti,  they  proceeded  to 
Deal  to  embark  in  that  ship.  'I'he  second  letter  referred 
to  is  dated  from  that  port,  January  24th,  17r>0,  in  which 
Swartz  thus  writes. 

"The  10th  of  January,  according  to  the  old  style, 
which  is  yet  used  here,  or  the  21st  according  to  the  new, 
was  the  day  on  which  we  left  dear  Kensington,  where 
God  bestowed  so  much  grace  upon  us.  On  the  preceding 
evening  we  were  from  seven  till  ten  with  his  Majesty's 
chaplain,  who  said  many  tilings  to  the  awakening  of  our 
hearts.  He  gave  us  the  12Uth  psalm  for  meditation  on 
our  voyage.  '  I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills, 
from  whence  cometh  my  help.'  Whatever  could  in  any 
way  contribute  to  our  comfort  and  encouragement,  that 
he  did.  On  new  year's  day  also  he  addressed  us  publicly 
from  the  pulpit,  from  these  words,  '  Be  not  afraid,  only 
believe.'  (Mark  vi.  J}(j.)  At  the  same  time  he  exhorted 
the  congregation  to  pray  for  us.  On  the  .same  evening 
he  prayed  again  with  us,  commended  us  to  the  mercy  of 
our  God,  and  gave  us  some  copies  of  his  lately  published 
Exposition  of  the  Lord's  Prayer.  He  then  dismissed  us 
with  the  cordial  admonition,  not  to  allow  our  brotherly 
love  to  cool.  May  God  write  all  that  we  have  heard 
deeply  on  our  hearts  ! 

"Thus  we  departed  on  the  21st  of  January,  N.  S.,  in 
the  name  of  Jesus,  accompanied  by  that  trusty  German, 
Matthieson,  who  has  conducted  all  the  missionaries  from 
Mr.  Walther*  until  now.  On  the  23d  we  arrived  at  Deal, 
in  perfect  health  and  spirits.  Here  we  lodge  in  a  house 
which  is  only  a  few  paces  from  the  shore,  so  that  from 
our  windows  we  see  nothing  but  the  sea.  My  heart  is 
filled  with  cheerful  confidence,  being  convinced  that  as 
God  has  taken  us  under  his  paternal  care  during  our  late 
travels,  so  will  he  likewise  continue  to  be  our  Protector. 
If  we  will  only  cleave  steadfastly  to  him,  he  will  also  most 
certainly  be  with  us,  and  be  our  fiithful  God.  And  he 
will  graciously  hear  the  prayers  with  which  we  know  so 
many  of  his  children  and  servants  accompany  us.     Now, 

*  In  the  year  1725, 


46  MEMOIRS  OF 

therefore,  we  go  forth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  hath 
called  us  to  be  his  servants  and  messengers  among  the 
heathen  ;  who  will  also  guide  and  bring  us  to  the  destined 
place." 

The  next  letter  which  was  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Ziegenhagen,  announces  his  actual  embarkation. 

"  From  on  board  the  Lynn,  off  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
near  Portsmouth,  Feb.  1,  1750. 

"  There  comes  a  ship  to  bring  us  provisions,  by  which 
I  send  you  a  few  lines.  On  the  29th  of  January  we  left 
Deal.  God  hath  given  us  a  favorable  wind,  with  which 
we  have  already  sailed  past  Portsmouth.  Praised  be 
his  name,  we  are  all  well.  Our  cabin  is  below  that  of 
the  captain.  We  are  alone,  for  which  we  have  thank- 
fully to  acknowledge  the  goodness  of  God.  We  are 
as  conveniently  accommodated  as  can  be  expected  on 
board  ship.  God  be  praised  for  it !  The  captain  is  a 
good,  plain-dealing  man,  and  the  other  passengers  show 
us  much  kindness.  We  talk  English  as  yet  very  badly, 
but  they  all  encourage  us  to  speak,  and  no  one  laughs  at 
our  blunders.  Several  of  them  know  a  little  Latin,  and 
use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  explain  to  us  whatever  we 
do  not  understand.  We  return  hearty  thanks  to  God  for 
having  brought  us  to  this  ship.  Hitherto,  he  hath  gra- 
ciously preserved  us,  that  no  one  has  sustained  any  hurt, 
except  that  last  night  a  sailor  fell  into  the  water ;  however, 
he  was  saved.  The  number  of  persons  on  board  is  about 
an  hundred,  and  a  few  passengers.  We  pass  our  time 
in  reading  the  holy  Scriptures  in  the  original  languages, 
and  other  good  books,  and  practise  reading  and  writing 
English,  according  to  your  kind  instruction.  There  are 
persons  on  board  who  go  to  India  for  pleasure.  One  of 
them  goes  for  the  fifth  time,  and  says  it  is  a  very  pleasant 
voyage.  There  are  also  many  children  on  board  who  learn 
navigation.  Now  this  I  have  written  in  haste.  May 
Jesus  bless  you  abundantly,  and  hear  your  prayers,  and 
those  of  other  children  and  servants  of  God  for  us  1  O, 
the  Lord  is  faithful,  and  never  vet  forsook  his  people, 

"C.    F.    SWARTZ." 

The  ship  did  not,  however,  proceed  on  its  voyage  so 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  47 

quickly  as  was  expected.     On  the  3d  of  February  Swartz 
wrote  to  Mr.  Ziegenhagen  as  follows. 

"  Filial  love  requires  us  to  make  use  of  this  opportunity 
of  informing  you  of  our  circumstances.  When  we  last 
wrote  to  you,  we  were  off  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  had  a 
most  favorable  wind  ;  but  we  were  obliged  to  lay  to  for 
more  than  half  a  day,  before  the  things  which  the  ship 
brought  us  from  Deal  were  taken  on  board.  Towards 
evening  we  sailed,  and  by  Monday  had  come  already 
close  to  the  Bay  of  Biscay.  In  the  morning  the  wind 
veered  about,  and  the  captain  found  himself  compelled  to 
return  to  some  harbor.  Here  the  motion  of  the  ship  was 
so  violent,  that  I  experienced  something  of  the  sea  sick- 
ness, but  only  for  a  Cew  minutes.  That  day  about  four, 
we  arrived  off  Falmouth.  We  were  met  by  two  pilots, 
and  the  captain  engaged  him  who  came  first  to  the  ship  ; 
but  the  other,  on  coming  up,  expressed  his  great  dissatis- 
faction, not  so  much  because  he  had  not  been  engaged,  as 
because  the  other  had  not  conducted  us  aright.  He  dis- 
puted so  long,  that  the  first  was  obliged  to  go  away.  This 
morning  we  found  that  the  man  had  just  grounds  for  his 
displeasure.  For  when  it  was  ebb  tide,  our  siiip  had  not 
sufficient  water,  but  struck  frequently  against  the  ground 
with  such  a  crash,  as  if  a  gun  was  fired.  At  the  same 
time  there  was  a  great  storm,  so  that  we  might  have  sus- 
tained much  injury,  if  God  had  not  preserved  us.  Now 
we  praise  him  that  we  were  forced  to  return  ;  for  in  this 
storm  we  should  have  been  in  the  greatest  danger  off  the 
Spanish  coast.  Thus  we  daily  perceive  that  his  goodness 
preserves  us.  O  that  we  might  always  look  only  to  him, 
rest  in  his  will,  and  filially  resign  ourselves  to  it !  Our 
captain  shows  us  great  kindness.  For  the  rest,  I  pray 
God  daily,  that  he  would  purify  my  heart  more  and  more 
from  all  dross,  and  by  his  Spirit  fit  me  for  the  important 
office  for  which,  unworthy  as  I  am,  he  has,  out  of  mere 
grace,  ordained  me.  I  rest  assured  that  you  also  will 
daily  beg  this  grace  for  myself,  and  my  dear  brethren, 

"  C.  F.   SWAUTZ." 

The  ship  was  detained  at  Falmouth  by  contrary  winds 
rather  more  than  a  month  ;  but  this  delay  was  amply 
compensated  by  its  escape  from  the  storms  which,  as  it 


48  MEMOIRS   OF 

afterwards  appeared,  some  others  had  encountered  ;  in 
noticing  which  circumstance,  many  years  afterwards,  one 
of  the  brelliren  at  Tranquebar  took  occasion  to  observe, 
that  during  the  century  which  had  elapsed  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Danish  mission,  and  in  the  course  of 
which  about  fifty  missionaries  had  sailed  to  India,  no 
vessel  whicii  contained  any  one  of  them  had  perished. 

In  the  ibilowing  letter  addressed  to  professor  Francke, 
Swartz,  with  a  fervor  and  simplicity  of  expression  peculiar 
to  the  German  language,  gives  a  detailed  account  of  the 
continuance  of  their  voyage,  and  of  iheir  safe  arrival  in 
India.     It  is  dated  from  Tranquebar,  October  8,  1750. 

"  We  can  now  joyfully  relate  how  graciously  God  hath 
heard  your  supplications  to  his  goodness  for  us.  With 
undeserved  grace  and  mercy  he  hath  brought  us,  hath 
graciously  averted  all  perils  on  our  long  voyage,  mightily 
refreshed  us  during  the  course  of  it  both  in  soul  and  body, 
and  caused  us  to  reach  the  end  of  it  speedily  and  happily, 
in  four  mouths  and  four  days.  We  could  scarcely  have 
imagined,  that  he  would  so  paternally  and  graciously 
guide  us.  His  name  be  humbly  praised  and  glorified 
now  and  in  eternity  1 

"  In  order  to  give  you,  reverend  sir,  a  somewhat  de- 
tailed account  of  this  gracious  guidance  of  our  God,  that 
you  may  magnify  his  name  with  us,  I  shall  briefly  relate 
the  most  important  particulars  from  our  diary,  not  having 
yet  found  time  to  copy  the  diary  itself,  which  your  Rever- 
ence will  kindly  excuse. 

"  How  God  conducted  us  into  Falmouth  harbor,  and 
what  we  there  noticed  to  his  praise,  you  will  have  observed 
from  the  short  letter  which  we  wrote  on  the  day  of  our 
departure.  On  the  r2th  of  March  17-50,  God  gave  us  a 
good  wind,  and  every  thing  was  prepared  for  sailing. 
But  the  tide  being  then  at  ebb,  we  were  obliged  to  wait 
till  the  evening,  as  we  could  not  otherwise  gel  safely  out 
of  the  harbor.  In  the  afternoon,  an  iniiabitant  of  the 
town  came  on  board,  who  had  been  powerfully  awakened 
by  Mr.  Whitefield.  This  man  related  to  us  many  things, 
particularly  of  the  minister  at  Falmouth — how  zealous  he 
was  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty.  We  regretted  that  we 
had  not  visited  him  ;  and  as  the  stranger  intimated  that 
he  would  salute  him  from  us,  we  sent  the  minister  professor 


THE   REV.   C.  F.   SWARTZ.  49 

Zimmermann's  Treatise  on  the  Excellency  of  the 
Knowledge  of  Christ,  translated  into  Latin,  in  which 
we  wrote  a  few  lines. 

"About  seven  in  the  evening  we  sailed,  in  the  name 
of  God,  out  of  the  harbor,  with  a  man  of  war,  which 
we  thought  was  to  escort  us  ;  but  the  next  day  we  learned 
that  she  was  to  escort  the  Norfolk.  With  this  divine 
dispensation,  we  were  well  satisfied,  believing  that  we 
should  not  need  that  convoy,  if  we  could  only  say  with 
David,  (Ps.  xlvi.  7.)  '  The  Lord  of  Hosts  is  with  us,  the 
God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.'  If  the  Lord  be  for  us, 
who  or  what  can  be  against  us?  We  met  a  Dutch  ship, 
from  Smyrna  to  Rotterdam,  the  captain  of  which  in- 
formed us,  that  he  had  suffered  much  from  the  late  severe 
storms,  whilst  we  were  quietly  in  the  harbor.  On  the 
16th,  we  were  met  by  two  ships,  which  exhibited  a  sad 
spectacle.  One  of  them  had  sprung  a  large  leak,  and 
drew  several  feet  of  water,  so  that  she  lay  very  deep, 
and  rolled  from  side  to  side.  Our  captain  backed  the 
sails,  and  sent  the  carpenter,  with  an  officer,  and  some 
others,  to  see  whether  they  could  assist ;  but  on  their 
return,  they  declared  that  the  vessel  must  sink.  The 
other  ship,  therefore,  kept  quite  close  to  the  damaged  one, 
that  the  people  might  save  themselves. 

"On  the  21st  of  March,  I  had  a  fever,  which  con- 
tinued till  the  10th  of  April.  As  I  fell  away  so  much, 
the  doctor  was  alarmed  ;  but  God  helped  me  graciously, 
and  soon  restored  to  me  my  bodily  strength.  I  must 
also  confess,  to  his  praise,  that  this  sickness  has  been 
of  great  service  to  me.  On  the  22d  of  March,  we  had, 
for  the  first  time,  divine  service  on  board  our  ship,  which 
afforded  us  great  pleasure.  On  the  29th,  we  passed  the 
tropic  of  Cancer ;  and  on  the  ISth  of  April,  we  crossed 
the  line,  for  the  first  time.  There  was  great  joy  on  board, 
that  we  had  not  been  detained  longer.  On  the  22d, 
we  were  in  the  height  of  Ascension.  The  30th,  God 
visibly  preserved  a  youth  from  death,  who  had  entered 
on  board  to  learn  navigation.  A  thick  cable  fell  down 
from  above,  exactly  on  the  spot  where  he  was  standing; 
but  before  it  reached  him,  he  perceived  it,  and  narrowly 
escaped.  Towards  evening,  a  ship  was  seen.  We 
rejoiced  at  first,  hoping  for  an  opportunity  of  sending 
letters  ;  but  our  joy  had  nearly  been  changed  to  fear, 
5 


50  MEMOIRS   OF 

as  our  people  began  to  think  they  might  be  enemies,  and 
made  preparations  for  defence.  Early  the  next  morning 
we  looked  out  for  her,  but  in  vrun.  On  the  5th  of  May, 
we  passed  the  tropic  of  Capricorn,  and  thus  left  the  torrid 
zone-  As  soon  as  the  trade  wind  ceased,  we  were 
favored  with  a  delightful  breeze  from  E.  N.  E.  If  we 
attend  to  the  different  changes  of  winds,  we  may  observe 
agreeable  traces  of  the  admirable  wisdom  of  God.  On  the 
7th,  we  saw  a  French  vessel,  and,  on  our  captain  firing 
a  signal  gun,  to  desire  them  to  wait,  they  did  so,  and  we 
came  up  with  her  towards  evening.  The  captains  con- 
versed with  each  other  on  their  observations,  and  ours 
agreed  pretty  well  with  theirs.  It  was  a  great  advantage 
that  we  could  observe  so  well  in  our  ship  ;  for  even  in 
hazy  weather,  the  sun  appeared  a  little  about  noon. 
The  chief  mate  requested  us  to  communicate  the  obser- 
vations contained  in  our  diaries,  particularly  with  regard 
to  the  variation  of  the  compass.  We  did  so,  and  he 
gratefully  acknowledged  it,  by  giving  us  a  fine  large 
Cheshire  cheese.*  The  11th  of  May,  we  had  a  very 
high  wind,  and  the  next  day  a  calm.  While  we  spoke 
of  it  in  the  evening,  and  sighed  to  God  that  he  would 
have  pity  on  us,  as  before,  suddenly  there  arose  a  very 
favorable  breeze.  Thus  God  fulfilled  to  us  what  he  has 
promised — '  Before  they  call,  I  will  answer  ;  and  while 
they  are  yet  speaking,  I  will  hear.'  So  that  we  could 
praise  God  with  joyful  hearts.  On  the  17th  of  May, 
•I'e  celebrated  the  Feast  of  Pentecost,  and  heartily  be- 
sought God  that,  by  his  Spirit,  whom  Jesus  has  obtained, 
he  would  fit  us  for  the  important  office  to  which  he  has 
called  us.  The  19th  of  May,  our  dear  brother  Ilutteman 
vas  seized  with  alarming  sickness  ;  but  God  most  gra- 
ciously blessed  the  use  of  the  medicines  out  of  the  trav- 
.■lling  chest  which  you  gave  us,  so  that  he  was  fully 
s-estored  to  us  in  a  few  days.  On  the  20d  we  had  an 
inusually  brisk  gale  ;  the  ship  inclined  so  much,  that  it 
.hipped  water,  which  we  hud  not  hitherto  seen.  However, 
t  passed  over  without  damage.  On  the  27th,  we  had  a 
complete  calm,  so  that  the   captain   and   the  chief  mate 


*  This  is  always  an  acceptable  present  in  India,  and  was  fre- 
juently  amonw  (he  irratuities  .sent  out  by  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledije  to  their  missionaries. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  51 

went  out  in  a  boat,  to  shoot  birds  ;  but  in  the  following 
night  arose  a  real  storm,  which,  as  it  came  unexpectedly, 
tore  all  the  sails.  When  we  came  upon  deck  in  the 
morning,  they  all  hung  in  rags,  and  we  had  only  one 
small  sail  hoisted.  We  did  not,  however,  yield  to  anxious 
or  desponding  thoughts.  So  faithful  is  God  !  In  need 
he  refresheth,  and  comforteth  abundantly.  The  30th 
of  May,  we  had  very  pleasant  weather,  which  was  a  great 
relief  after  the  storm.  On  the  3 1st,  we  saw  a  Dutch 
ship.  We  all  wished  that  it  might  approach  us,  but  were 
disappointed,  as  it  passed  us  at  a  considerable  distance  ; 
but  in  the  afternoon  our  joy  was  the  greater,  as  we  got  a 
sigiit  of  the  Cape.  The  mountains  presented  themselves 
at  a  distance,  like  clouds  ;  but  as  we  came  nearer,  we 
could  see  them  distinctly.  We  praised  God  heartily,  the 
more  so,  as  we  had  on  this  very  day  been  powerfully 
impressed  in  meditating  on  the  words,  (1  Cor.  xv.  58.) 
'Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast,  un- 
raovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  will  not  be  in  vain 
in  the  Lord.' 

"  From  this  time,  we  began  to  look  out  for  India,  ana 
thought  we  had  now  left  the  worst  behind.  But  on  the 
17th  of  June,  in  the  night,  we  had  a  most  furious  storm, 
in  which  all  declared  we  were  in  great  danger.  Even  the 
next  day  it  was  frightful  to  behold,  and  it  was  much 
heightened  by  the  heavy  rain  which  accompanied  the 
wind.  Meanwhile,  when  the  tempest  was  at  the  highest, 
we  slept  in  peace  and  quiet  :  a  gracious  God  had  hidden 
the  danger  from  us.  On  the  lOtli,  there  was  a  pretty 
strong  breeze.  A  rope,  with  which  a  sail  was  belayed, 
happened  to  break,  which  caused  the  ship  to  heel  a  little, 
and  all  at  once  we  lay  on  our  side.  The  captain  called 
out  to  the  men  at  the  helm  to  put  the  ship  about ;  but 
they  could  not  accomplish  it.  'I'he  vessel  had  inclined 
altogether  to  one  side,  and  was,  moreover,  quite  wet  from 
the  rain,  so  that  the  people  fell  as  they  attempted  to  walk 
on  the  deck.  However,  the  storm  at  length  subsided, 
and  we  sustained  no  material  injury.  In  how  many 
distresses  hath  not  our  gracious  God  covered  us,  as  it 
were,  with  his  wings  !  On  the  30th  of  June,  we  passed 
the  tropic  of  Capricorn  a  second  time.  Now  we  came 
again  into  a  pleasant  climate  ;  hitherto  we  had  sometimes 


52  MEMOIRS   OF 

very  cold  weather.  The  4th  of  July  the  rope  at  the  helm 
broke,  and,  as  the  wind  happened  to  blow  fresh,  the  ship 
fell  into  some  disorder.  On  the  10th,  we  again  crossed 
the  line.  The  13th  was  a  most  agreeable  day  ;  for  we 
then  came  in  sight  of  Ceylon.  The  chief  mate  discovered 
it  about  nine  in  the  mt)rning.  Tiie  joy  which  this  pro- 
duced on  board  is  hardly  to  be  described,  since  the  greater 
number  scarcely  expected  that  we  should  make  it  so 
directly.  We  said,  '  This  hath  God  done  ! '  O,  how 
great  is  his  goodness,  and  how  graciously  doth  he  hear 
our  prayers  !  May  the  kindness  which  he  hath  showed 
us  in  this  instance,  serve  to  strengthen  us  in  filial  con- 
fidence ! 

"  This  day  and  the  following,  we  enjoyed  the  delightful 
smell  of  cinnamon.  At  the  same  time,  we  had  a  most 
favorable  wind,  so  that,  during  the  day,  we  passed  at  a 
good  distance  by  the  rocks  of  Ceylon.  On  the  16ih 
of  July  we  were  approaching  the  coast  of  Coromandel  : 
every  one,  therefore,  looked  out  eagerly  for  land  ;  but  the 
night  drew  on,  and  we  could  see  none.  About  nine, 
we  found  a  bottom  at  fifteen  fiithoms  ;  and  it  was  remark- 
able that,  as  soon  as  it  was  found,  the  wind  ceased. 
We  therefore  dropped  the  anchor.  In  the  morning,  when 
we  looked  out,  we  not  only  beheld  the  coast,  but  found 
ourselves  right  opposite  to  Cuddalore.  We  praised  the 
name  of  the  Lord  for  this  paternal  guidance  :  and  who- 
soever delights  in  the  traces  of  his  gracious  providence 
will,  on  hearing  it,  exalt  his  name  together. 

"  After  we  had  cast  anchor,  the  natives  immediately 
came  on  board.  The  sight  of  tliese  poor  people,  who 
sit  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  death,  deeply  affected 
our  hearts;  and  we  awakened  ourselves  cheerfully  to  work 
at  their  conversion,  and  to  recommend  to  them  the  salva- 
tion of  the  gospel.  Now,  the  Lord  vouchsafe  to  give  us 
wisdom,  grace,  and  strength,  to  accomplish  this  purpose, 
since  we  are  most  unworthy  to  be  unto  them  '  a  savor 
of  life  unto  life.'  We  informed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kiernander* 
of  our  arrival,  and  he  sent  in  the  afternoon  a  country 
boat  to  fetch  us.  There  we  took  our  leave  of  the  officers 
and  passengers,  who  had  showed  us  every  kindness. 
They  were  much  moved  at  parting,  and  wished  us  every 

*  The  Society's  missionary  at  Cuddalore. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  53 

blessing  in  our  future  ministry.  May  the  Lord  do  good 
abundantly  to  them  all  !  In  the  evening,  dear  Mr.  Kier- 
nander  received  us,  and  praised  the  name  of  the  Lord 
for  all  the  mercy  he  had  shown  us. 

"  I  should  now  give  an  account  of  our  occupations 
during  the  voyage.  But  as  they  were  substantially  the 
same  as  those  of  our  predecessors,  that  is,  preparing  our- 
selves for  our  duty  in  the  best  manner  we  were  able,  I  shall 
be  brief.  Every  morning  and  evening,  and  frequently 
during  the  day,  we  stirred  up  ourselves  by  joint  prayer 
and  meditation  on  the  holy  Scriptures,  by  which  God 
graciously  refreshed  us.  Afterwards,  each  of  us,  apart, 
used  either  to  meditate  on  some  passage  of  Scripture,  or 
read  some  other  devotional  book.  From  eleven  to  twelve, 
we  practised  reading  English  together,  besides  what  each 
afterwards  read  for  himself  The  German  Mission  Ac- 
counts, hitherto  edited,  five  volumes  and  a  half,  we  have 
partially  perused.  Mr.  Niecamp's  Abridgment,  and  the 
first  volume,  we  have  nearly  read  through.  This  occupa- 
tion we  have  found  to  be  of  great  advantage.  We  also 
kept  a  diary  ;  but  as  in  many  places  it  is  rather  illegibly 
written,  in  consequence  of  the  rolling  of  the  vessel,  and 
we  do  not  wish  to  send  it  so,  we  shall  by  the  first  ships 
send  one  fair  copy  of  it  to  your  Reverence,  and  one  to 
the  Mission  College. 

"On  the  24tii  of  July,  the  Rev.  Senior  of  the  Danish 
missionaries,  Mr.  Wiedebrceck,  came  from  Tranquebar 
to  fetch  us.  He  joined  us  in  hearty  praises  to  God  for 
all  his  mercies.  After  having  therefore  visited  several 
English  gentlemen,  we  departed  on  the  28th  from  Cudda- 
lore.  Dear  Mr.  Kiernander  accompanied  us  as  far  as 
the  first  river,  and  there  took  leave  of  us.  On  the  30th 
we  arrived  at  Tranquebar  in  perfect  health,  and  were 
most  fraternally  received  by  our  dear  brethren.  Now 
hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  us.  To  him  be  glory  for 
ever  and  ever ! 

"Our  present  occupation  can  be  described  in  a  few 
words.  At  seven  in  the  morning  we  begin,  and  practise 
Tamul  almost  the  whole  forenoon.  Three  days  in  every 
week  Mr.  Maderup  comes  to  us  at  ten,  and  gives  us  a 
lesson  in  Portuguese.  From  two  to  three  in  the  after- 
noon we  again  read  Tamul.  Afterwards,  every  one  re- 
maius  alone  till  five.  From  five  to  six,  I  and  dear  brother 
5* 


54  MEMOIRS   OF 

Hutteman  practice  speaking  Tamul.  We  have  Chris- 
topher with  us,  who  affords  us  wonderful  help  in  that 
language,  !)ecause  he  talks  German  fluently  ;  and  where 
we  make  mistakes,  he  corrects  us.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Zeglin 
is  holding  at  this  time  a  preparation  for  baptism  with 
some  heathen,  at  which  we  also  attend,  as  we  begin 
already  to  understand  a  little.  We  perceive  that  God 
helps  us  on  from  day  to  day.  Dear  brother  Poltzenhagen 
and  I  live  togetlier.  We  do  not,  however,  provide  for 
our  diet,  as  Mr.  Kohlhoff  has  taken  us  to  his  table.  In 
the  morning  and  evening  we  excite  each  other  by  joint 
prayer  and  reading  the  word  of  God. 

"  This  is  the  principal  intelligence  which  I  can  at 
present  impart  to  your  Reverence. 

"C.    F.    SWARTZ" 

The  providential  escape  of  Swartz  and  his  brethren 
from  shipwreck,  though  not  noticed  in  the  preceding 
letter,  crowned  the  mercies  of  their  voyage.  The  vessel 
in  which  they  sailed  was  lost  in  the  river  soon  after  their 
landing  at  Cuddalore. 

Such  was  the  diligence  with  which  Swartz  pursued 
the  study  of  Tamul,  that,  on  the  23d  of  November,  that 
is,  in  less  than  four  months  after  his  arrival  in  India,  he 
preached  his  first  sermon  in  Ziegenbalg's  Church,  called 
New  Jerusalem,  from  Matthew  xi.  25 — 30.  Having 
pointed  out  the  invitation  of  Christ  to  all  to  come  to  him 
for  the  blessings  of  heavenly  rest  and  peace,  and  observed 
that  they  could  only  be  obtained  in  the  order  here  pre- 
scribed by  the  Redeemer,  he  earnestly  exhorted  all  who 
were  present  not  to  think  lightly  of  this  gracious  offer  ; 
and  thus  exhibited,  in  his  first  address  to  the  Heathen, 
the  very  spirit  of  that  gospel  which  he  was  commissioned 
to  proclaim,  and  which  he  continued  unceasingly  to 
recommend  and  to  exemplify  during  his  long  and  honor- 
able career  as  a  missionary  in  India. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  55 


CHAPTER   II. 


Mr.  Swarlz  enters  on  the  Duties  of  a  Missionary — His  account  of 
these  in  aLetter  toaFricnd — Careful  preparation  of  Candidates  for 
Baptism — Excursions  totheTowns  and  Villages  near  Ti  anqnebar — 
Letter  to  Dr.  Struensee — Periodical  Reports  of  the  Danish  Mission 
— Pious  Custom  of  the  Missionaries  on  proceedins'  upon  a  Jour- 
ney— Visit  of  Messrs.  Kohlhoff  and  Swartz  to  Cuddalore — Pastoral 
and  weekly  Conferences  with  their  Brethren  there — Return  to 
Tranquebar. 

No  sooner  had  Mr.  Swartz  attained  some  knowledge  of 
the  native  language,  than  he  entered  vigorously  upon  the 
discharge  of  the  various  duties  of  the  Mission.  Early  in 
the  year  1751,  he  commenced  a  daily  catechetical  exercise 
with  the  youngest  children  of  the  Tamul  school,  which 
consisted  not  merely  in  questioning  them,  and  receiving 
their  answers,  but  in  explaining  the  principles  of  Chris- 
tianity, in  the  order  prescribed  by  the  catechism,  in 
the  simplest  manner,  and  by  examples  taken  from 
common  life,  in  familiar  dialogues  with  tl)e  chil- 
dren. He  also  catechised  the  children  of  the  Portu- 
guese school  alternately  with  Mr.  Poltzenhagen,  and 
preached  in  Portuguese  in  rotation  with  him  and  Mr. 
Maderup,  another  missionary,  who  had  the  superinten- 
dence of  the  Portuguese  congregation.  In  addition  to 
these  stated  occupations,  Mr.  Swartz  held  in  this  year  two 
preparations  for  baptism  with  natives,  and  afterwards  bap- 
tized many  of  the  candidates.  These,  with  other  inter- 
esting particulars,  are  related  with  great  simplicity  and 
piety  in  his  second  letter  from  India,  dated  Sept.  28,  1751, 
and  addressed  to  a  clergyman  at  Ilalle,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  an  extract. 


56  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  The  manifold  kindness  whicli  yon  showed  rae  in  my 
university  years,  induces  me  to  address  a  letter  to  you 
from  this  country ;  the  more  so,  as  it  was  you  who  first 
gave  me  a  hint  that  I  should,  perhaps,  be  asked  to  go  to 
India.  When  I  think  of  this,  and  of  the  first  distant  pre- 
parations made  by  the  divine  providence,  I  praise  and 
humbly  thank  the  only  wise  God.  It  is  also  a  sweet  com- 
fort to  my  heart,  that  I  am  enabled  to  say,  '  It  is  thou,  O 
my  God,  who  hast  conducted  me  to  these  parts;  I  have 
not  run  hither  of  my  own  accord,  but  would  rather  have 
declined  the  call,  if  thy  unseen  hand  had  not  retained  me. 
O  therefore  help,  and  bestow  upon  me  ail  necessary  wis- 
dom, grace,  and  strength,  for  this  office  ! ' 

"  My  gracious  God  has  already  manifested  so  many 
proofs  of  his  paternal  love  towards  me,  that  I  cannot  but 
remember  the  word  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  which  he  spake  to 
upright  Nathanael,  (John  i.  50.)  '  Thou  shalt  see  greater 
things  than  these.'  May  the  Lord  give  me  grace,  that, 
like  Nathanael,  I  may  use  the  proofs  of  divine  goodness 
and  mercy  which  I  have  hitherto  experienced,  as  a  solid 
foundation,  strengthening,  and  confirmation  of  my  faith. 
If  henceforth  I  do  not  behold  the  glory  of  God,  then  verily 
unbelief  will  be  the  cause  of  it.  At  Nazareth,  my  Saviour 
did  not  many  mighty  works,  because  of  their  unbelief. 
Now,  Lord,  grant  faith,  and  that  lively  faith  ! 

"  But  that  you  may  know  this  from  more  special  cir- 
cumstances, and  adore  the  name  of  the  Lord  with  me,  I 
shall  mention  some  particulars.  First,  I  humbly  praise 
God  that,  during  the  year  I  have  been  here,  he,  notwith- 
standino-  all  my  imperfections,  hath  borne  with  me  with 
great  patience  and  forbearance,  hath  been  daily  nigh  unto 
my  soul,  and  hath  kindly  refreshed  me.  If  I  have  not 
had  the  same  enjoyments  daily,  the  fault  was  on  my  own 
side.  Now  this  goodness,  long-suffering,  and  patience  of 
our  Lord,  I  shall  account  my  salvation,  according  to  St. 
Peter's  exhortation. 

"  As  to  external  things,  God  has  given  me  life  and 
health,  and  has  made  the  climate  and  the  heat  supporta- 
ble ;  so  that,  though  my  breathing  was  sometimes  oppres- 
sive, yet  1  have  not  been  induced  to  complain.  Praised 
be  his  name  also  for  this  gracious  help  !  Whoever  always 
reposes  in  the  good  and  holy  will  of  God,  saves  himself 
much  trouble,  and  makes  that  supportable  which  an  impa- 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  57 

tient  and  unsubdued  self-will  renders  intolerable.  May 
the  Lord  subdue  this  self-will  more  and  more  by  the  power 
of  the  cross  of  Christ ! 

"  Concerning  the  language  of  this  country,  I  frequently 
thought  during  the  voyage. 

"  Behold,  at  Halle  I  learned  Tamul  three  months,  and 
I  made  but  little  progress.  How  much  time  will  be  re- 
quired to  learn  that  language,  even  though  it  be  only  so 
much  as  to  be  able  to  express  myself  intelligibly  !  But 
God  has  graciously  removed  this  difficulty,  which  appeared 
to  me  so  great ;  for  after  we  had  once  preached,  it  became 
more  and  more  easy. 

"Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  new  year,  I  be- 
gan a  catechetical  hour  in  the  Tamul,  or  Malabar  School, 
with  the  youngest  lambs  ;  and  thus  I  learned  to  stammer 
with  them.  At  the  same  time,  I  made  almost  daily  ex- 
cursions, and  spoke  with  Christians  and  heathens,  though, 
as  may  be  easily  conceived,  poorly  and  falleringly.  How- 
ever, God  helped  me  on  from  day  to  day. 

"After  I  had  thus  practised  reading  and  speaking  for 
nine  months,  I  began  the  first  preparation  on  the  26th  of 
May,  1751,  and  finished  it  on  the  2d  of  July,  when  I 
baptized  most  of  the  converts.  Each  of  my  brethren  was 
occupied  with  preparing  a  small  number  for  holy  baptism. 
When,  therefore,  ten  days  afterwards,  another  party  came, 
I  began  the  second  preparation  on  the  12ih  of  July,  and 
ended  it  in  six  weeks.  With  these  souls  I  hope  the  Lord 
has  not  permitted  me  to  labor  in  vain.  How  they  now 
conduct  themselves,  I  cannot  say,  as  the  far  greater  part  of 
them  were  from  the  country. 

"  The  increase  this  year  is  very  pleasing,  consisting  of 
four  hundred  in  the  Tamul  congregation,  including  a 
hundred  and  fifty-nine  children,  partly  of  Christian,  and 
partly  of  converted  heathen,  parents  ;  though  the  real 
blessing  does  not  amount  to  the  whole  of  that  number. 
God  send  forth  faithful  laborers,  for  the  harvest  is  indeed 
great !  Therefore  help  us,  dear  sir,  to  implore  the  divine 
assistance. 

"  This  short  account  I  have  given  you,  in  humble 
praise  of  our  gracious  God.  To  him  alone  bolongeth 
glory,  but  to  us  shame;  and  if  we  should  even  suffer  igno- 
miny and  disgrace  for  the  sake  of  Jesus,  we  are  unworthy 
of  so  sreat  an  honor." 


58  MEMOIRS   OF 

The  preparation  of  candidates  for  baptism,  mentioned 
in  the  preceding  letter,  was  frequent  at  stated  periods  in 
every  year.  Several  of  tl)e  missionaries  were  occasionally 
employed  with  ditTerent  parties  of  natives  at  the  same  time, 
which  was  the  case  in  the  year  1751,  in  the  course  of 
which,  twenty  of  these  preparatory  lectures  and  instruc- 
tions took  place,  in  general,  the  greater  proportion  of 
such  labors  devolved  on  the  junior  missionaries,  as  soon  as 
they  were  sufficiently  conversant  with  the  native  language, 
both  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  them  familiar  with  this 
important  employment,  and  of  affording  to  the  seniors 
more  leisure  for  correspondence,  and  other  laborious  duties 
of  the  mission. 

The  utmost  care  was  taken  during  these  exercises  to 
ascertain,  not  only  the  religious  knowledge,  but  the  Chris- 
tian dispositions  of  the  professed  converts.  Those  who 
were  slow  of  apprehension,  or  the  sincerity  of  whose  views 
in  embracing  Christianity  appeared  doubtful,  were  defer- 
red to  the  next  preparation.  This  occurred  with  respect 
to  two  candidates  on  one  of  the  occasions  just  mentioned, 
of  whom  one  was  found  to  be  deficient  in  knowledge,  and 
the  other  of  too  worldly  a  mind  to  be  admitted  into  the 
Christian  church.  The  period  of  probation  for  baptism 
was  sometimes  extended  to  several  montiis,  that  the  mis- 
sionaries miiiht  have  a  better  opportuniiy  of  observing  the 
moral  character  of  the  converts,  and,  with  respect  to  those 
who  came  from  distant  places,  of  obtaining  information  as 
to  their  previous  conduct.* 

Agreeably  to  the  practice  of  that  comparatively  early 
period,  when  there  were  seven  or  eight  missionaries  at 
Tranqiiebar,  Mr.  Swartz,  as  he  informed  his  friend  in  the 
preceding  letter,  was  accustomed  to  make  excursions 
almost  daily  among  both  the  Christians  and  the  uncon- 
verted natives,  generally  in  company  with  one  of  the  elder 
brethren.     Four  or  five  missionaries  occasionally  went  out, 

*  It  should,  howevor,  be  remarked,  tliat  tlie  standard  of  qualifica- 
tion for  baptism  in  the  Lutheran  church,  to  which  Swartz  and  his 
associates  belonijed,  is  less  elevated  than  it  once  was  in  the  Calvin- 
istic  churches  of  Geneva ;  and  probably  much  less  elevated  than  it 
now  is  in  the  American  mission  churches  which  have  been  planted 
among  the  heathen.  Yet  the  reader,  as  he  proceeds,  will  see  abun- 
dant renson  for  adoring  the  riches  of  divine  grace  in  the  converts, 
over  whom  this  admirable  missionary  was  permitted  to  rejoice  in 
India. — Am.  Ed. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  5^ 

attended  by  one  or  both  of  the  country  priests,  and  each 
missionary  followed  by  a  catechist  or  an  assistant,  and 
some  of  the  schoolboys  of  the  first  class.  They  divided 
themselves,  either  singly  or  in  parties  of  two,  among  the 
neighboring  towns  and  villages,  conversing  with  the  na- 
tives, endeavoring  to  convince  them  of  their  errors,  and  to 
persuade  them  to  embrace  the  religion  of  the  gospel. 

In  the  year  1752,  Mr.  Swartz  conducted  three  numer- 
ous preparations  for  baptism,  and  continued  his  excursions 
among  the  neighboring  villages.  No  letters  from  him 
during  this  year  are  recorded  in  the  missionary  journals  ; 
and  in  general  it  may  be  observed,  that  he  was  averse  to 
any  extensive  correspondence  which  might  divert  him 
from  his  studies  and  labors  among  the  natives.  From 
the  moment  that  he  rose  in  the  morning,  till  he  retired  to 
rest,  he  was  unremittingly  employed. 

In  the  next  year,  however,  a  letter  occurs  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Struensee,  then  professor  of  divinity  at  Halle, 
afterwards  superintendant-general,  that  is  bishop  and  me- 
tropolitan of  the  Duchy  of  Sleswig,  and  fiuher  of  the 
unfortunate  Count  Struensee,  prime  minister  of  Denmark, 
of  which  the  following  is  an  extract.  It  is  dated  Oct.  8, 
1753. 

"  Concerning  my  poor  labors,  I  usually  employ  myself 
in  the  morning  with  the  school  children  ;  and  when  I  am 
preparing  a  small  party  for  baptism,  that  is  also  done  in 
the  forenoon.  In  the  afternoon,  Mondays  excepted,  I 
commonly  go  out  to  the  villages,  to  visit  the  Christians  in 
their  cottages,  and  to  converse  with  heathens. 

"  The  enclosed  annual  report  will  exhibit  to  you  the 
present  external  state  of  the  mission.  This  year  Satan, 
by  bis  raging,  endeavored  to  excite  the  fears  of  the 
Christians,  by  which  many  heathens  were  no  doubt  de- 
terred from  embracing  the  gospel.  For  towards  the  end 
of  April  l;ist,  a  dissension  arose  between  the  papists  and 
heathens  in  Tanjore,  on  account  of  some  usages.  The 
Rajah  having  been  informed  of  it,  treated  the  Roman 
Catholics  with  great  severity  ;  upon  which  many  of  them 
renounced  Christianity,  both  verbally  and  in  writing. 
Since  that  time,  the  Romish  Christians  in  the  Tanjore 
country  have  been  roughly  handled ;  in  which  sufferings 
our  Christians  have  also  been   made  to  share   in   several 


60  MEMOIRS   OF 

places,  though  not  so  severely  as  the  papists  in  Tanjore. 
May  our  faithful  God  arm  us  with  grace,  resolution,  and 
strength  ! 

"  In  July  a  captain  of  the  Danish  navy  was  sent  as  an 
envoy  to  Tanjore,  on  which  occasion  Mr.  VViedebroeck,  at 
the  captain's  earnest  request,  accompanied  liitn,  and  had 
an  opportunity  of  announcing  the  gospel  of  (Jhrist,  both  in 
the  country  and  in  the  residence  itself,  without  hindrance. 
May  God  grant  a  permanent  blessing  upon  it  ! " 

The  report  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Swartz  in  the  preceding 
letter,  was  a  short  account  in  German,  on  one  quarto  sheet 
printed  on  the  5th  of  October  in  every  year  at 'I'ranquebar, 
comprising  the  number  of  native  Christians  belonging  to 
the  three  congregations  constituting  the  Danish  mission, 
viz.  the  Portuguese,  and  the  two  Tamul  for  the  town  and 
the  country,  which  last,  previous  to  the  establishment  of 
the  missions  of  the  Society  for  promoting  Christian  Know- 
ledge, was  divided  into  five  districts,  named  after  their 
central  places;  the  district  of  Mahabutam,  that  of  Tanjore, 
including  the  kingdom  of  Madura,  that  of  Madhewipatnam, 
comprising  the  country  of  Marava,  and  that  of  Cumbago- 
nam.* 

It  may  here  be  proper  to  observe,  tliat  the  brethren  at 
Tranqiiebar,  having  soon  discovered  the  extraordinary  tal- 
ents of  Swartz,  gave  him  the  superintendence  of  all  the 
Christian  schools  and  churches  south  of  the  river  Caveri. 

At  this  period,  whenever  the  missionaries  proceeded  on 
a  journey,  or  returned  from  one,  when  they  arrived  at  an- 
other missionary  station,  or  departed  from  it,  their  first 
and  last  employment  was  to  bend  their  knees  in  prayer  to 
Almighty  God  with  all  their  brethren.  In  this  apostolical 
manner  Messrs.  Kohlhoff  and  Swartz,  on  the  18th  of  Feb- 
ruary 1754,  set  out  on  foot  on  a  visit  to  Cuddalore.  Two 
other  missionaries  accompanied  them  a  few  miles  on  their 
way,  and  united  with  them  in  prayer  at  parting.     They 

*  The  increase  of  each  congregation,  the  missionaries,  catcchists, 
and  assistants,  the  number  of  schools,  schoohiiasters,  mistresses,  and 
children,  the  printing  press  and  its  productions,  the  country  priests 
and  native  teachers,  with  various  other  particulars,  were  also  inser- 
ted in  this  statement.  On  the  same  day  the  missionaries  wrote  their 
annual  reports  to  the  king  of  Denmark,  and  to  each  brancli  of  the 
royal  family,  which  were  transmitted  directly  to  those  illustrious  per- 
sonages. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  61 

supped  and  slept  at  the  house  of  a  Hindoo  merchant, 
who  civilly  received  their  exhortations  to  himself  and  his 
family. 

The  persecution  of  Christians  in  Tanjore  still  continu- 
ing, these  pious  men  encouraged  themselves  by  reading  in 
Hebrew,  according  to  their  general  custom  of  studying  the 
Holy  Scriptures  in  tlie  origiria!  languages,  the  74th  psalm. 
After  their  morning  devotions,  first  with  each  other,  and 
then  with  their  servants  and  coolies,  they  proceeded  on 
their  journey,  and  delivered  a  lecture  on  the  atonement  at 
a  place  where  several  Christians  were  assembled,  with  a 
concluding  address  to  the  surrounding  heathen.  On  the 
next  day,  they  represented  to  the  Brahmins  and  others,  in 
front  of  a  pagoda  at  Sembankudi,  the  absurdity  and  fatal 
consequences  of  idolatry,  and  in  the  evening  reached  Ti- 
rucottah,  where  they  lodged  at  the  commanding  officer's, 
who  was  very  kind  to  them,  and  accommodated  them  with 
a  boat  to  carry  them  down  the  river  and  across  the  Cole- 
roon,  and  afterwards  a  catamaran  over  another  river, 
which  saved  them  from  passing  through  a  desert  and 
swampy  forest.  The  boatmen  refused  to  hear  anything  of 
Christianity  ;  but  stopping  for  refreshment  in  a  wood,  seve- 
ral Hindoos,  and  Mohammedans,  and  a  Roman  Catholic 
native,  came  round  them,  to  whom  they  announced  the 
only  true  God,  and  Jesus  the  only  Mediator  and  Redeemer. 
A  robber,  one  of  whose  feet  had  been  struck  off  by  the 
headman  of  Chillumbrum,  begged  a  plaister,  which  the 
missionaries  gave  him,  with  a  direction  to  the  only  Physi- 
cian of  the  soul  for  the  healing  of  his  spiritual  wounds. 

At  the  Portnnovo  river,  tliey  were  met  by  Mr.  Hutte- 
man,  and  by  Mr.  Vaneck,  the  Dutch  superior,  who  took 
them  to  his  house.  On  the  23d,  they  travelled  the  whole 
way  to  Cuddalore  along  the  sea  shore.  A  merchant  of 
high  rank  in  his  caste,  but  reduced  in  circumstances,  fol- 
lowed them  from  Porto  Novo,  and  offered  to  become  a 
Christian  ;  but  his  views  appearing  to  be  interested,  he 
was  admonished  to  be  sincere.  At  noon  they  addressed 
some  Hindoos  at  a  choultry,*  particularly  some  Byragees, 


*  Choultries  are  buildings  open  on  every  side,  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  travellers  ;  the  roof  is  supported  by  columns,  which  are 
sometimes  highly  ornamented  :  these  are  Hindoo  structures.  The 
serai  is  a  Mohammedan  building  for  the  same  purpose;  it  consists  of 

6 


62  MEMOIRS  OF 

a  caste  of  professed  and  importunate  beggars,  and  pointed 
out  to  some  fishermen,  how  they  were  entangled  in  the  net 
of  Satan,  and  by  whom  ihey  might  be  rescued.  Towards 
evening,  Mr.  Kiernander  met  them  near  Chetty-Cupam. 
Having  strengthened  each  other  in  the  Lord  at  the  choul- 
try, they  proceeded  up  the  river  in  a  boat,  and  arrived 
safely  at  the  mission  house  at  Cuddalore.  There  they 
united  in  prayer  to  Ahnighty  God,  their  reconciled  Father 
in  Christ,  laid  their  own  wants  and  the  general  distress, 
humbly  yet  confidently  before  him,  and  implored  a  blessing 
upon  themselves,  their  brethren,  and  their  work.  They 
then  visited  the  sick  Portuguese  schoolmaster,  and  con- 
versed with  the  catechists,  and  several  members  of  the 
congregation.  A  number  of  Christians  having  come  from 
the  country  for  the  succeeding  day's  service,  Mr.  Kohlhoff 
explained  to  them  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Mr.  Swartz  the 
form  of  general  confession,  by  way  of  question  and  answer. 
They  closed  this  busy  day  by  visiting  the  school,  and 
some  of  the  mission  servants. 

On  the  24th,  being  Q,uinquagesima  Sunday,  Mr.  Swartz 
preached  in  the  morning  in  Tamul,  on  Luke  xviii.  31,  oa 
the  necessity  of  Christ's  sufferings,  and  Mr.  Kohlhoff  in 
the  afternoon  in  Portuguese,  during  which  service,  the 
morning  sermon  was  repeated  in  the  Tamul  school. 

The  next  day  they  conversed  with  the  native  Christians 
who  were  returning  into  the  country  ;  and  exhorted  them 
to  "  keep  the  word  of  God"  which  they  had  heard,  and  to 
walk  worthy  of  it.  They  again  visited  the  sick  school- 
master, and  reminded  him  how  necessary  it  was  to  be  well 
assured  of  one's  state,  in  order  to  be  peaceful  in  death. 

It  had  been  usual  from  the  commencement  of  the  mis- 
sion at  Tranquebar,  for  the  missionaries  to  hold,  on  Tues- 
day in  every  week,  a  pastoral  conference  on  some  passage 
of  Scripture  for  mutual  edification  and  encouragement. 
This  pious  custom,  Messrs.  Kohlhoff  and  Swartz  did  not 
omit  during  their  present  excursion,  but  from  ten  to  twelve 
on  the  2(3th,  held  what  they  called  a  colloquium  biblicum 
with  tlieir  brethren  at  Cuddalore,  on  Acts  x.  .'3(5,  37  ;  tak- 
incf  occasion,  from  that  animating  passage,  to  exhort  each 

a  large  open  area  enclosed  by  high  walls,  in  which  are  a  number  of 
recesses.  The  serai  has  no  arcliiteclural  ornaments,  except  on  the 
gateways. —  Oriental  Annual. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  63 

Other  to  couraore  and  perseverance  in  the  great  work  of 
"preaching  peace"  to  the  Gentiles  by  Jesus  Christ.  la 
the  afternonn,  they  visited  by  water  two  villages  of  fisher- 
men, situated  to  the  east  of  Cuddalore,  between  the  river 
and  the  sea,  and  observing  that  the  hours  struck  at  the 
mission  church  were  distinctly  heard  on  their  island,  they 
represented  to  them  the  duty  of  listening  to  the  word  of 
salvation,  which  the  goodness  of  God  had  thus  brought  so 
near  to  them. 

The  next  day,  the  two  missionaries,  accompanied  by 
their  brethren  of  Cuddalore,  proceeded  to  a  small  neigh- 
boring town,  and  sitting  down  in  a  choultry,  conversed 
with  the  natives  who  collected  round  them,  on  the  ac- 
knowledged earthly  origin,  and  base  and  unworthy  char- 
acter of  their  pietended  divinities,  and  urged  the  unprofit- 
able nature  of  their  idolatry,  and  the  peace,  purity,  and 
immortal  hope  resulting  from  the  faith  of  the  gospel. 
Several  succeeding  days  were  thus  occupied  either  in  ex- 
hortations to  the  heathen,  or  to  the  native  Christians,  the 
catechists,  the  school-children,  and  their  teachers. 

Messrs.  Kohlhoff  and  Swartz  having,  at  the  request  of 
their  brethren,  consent(!d  to  remain  two  days  longer  at 
Cuddalore,  assisted  at  their  Friday  weekly  conference, 
the  object  of  which  was  thus  stated  by  the  founder  of  the 
mission,  Ziegenbalg. 

"  The  weekly  conference  which  we  hold  every  Friday 
with  all  the  laborers,  is  of  the  greatest  utility  in  keeping 
the  mission  work  in  order.  For  on  that  day  in  the  fore- 
noon, we  pray  to  God  for  wisdom  and  counse),  and  each 
relates  how  he  has  been  employed,  or  what  has  occurred 
in  the  congregations  and  schools,  and  in  the  printing  and 
bookbinding  oflices,  and  in  the  private  houses.  Here 
every  thing  which  might  occasion  disorder  or  detriment  is 
adjusted,  and  those  means  are  adopted  which  may  best 
promote  the  general  good.  The  conference  being  ended, 
the  Portuguese  and  Tamul  assistants  make  a  report  of 
their  labors,  and  of  whatever  may  be  wanting,  that  as  far 
as  possible  it  may  be  supplied." 

This  useful  practice  was  regularly  observed  during 
nearly  the  first  century  of  the  mission,  when,  for  some 
reasons  which  do  not  appear,  it  was  discontinued. 

After  the  conference  thus  referred  to,  Messrs.  Kohlhoff 
and  Swartz  went  down  the  river  to  a  Tirkera,  or  Moorish 


64  MEMOIRS   OF 

hermitage,  where,  amongst  others,  they  addressed  a  Fakir, 
or  Mohammedan  mendicant,  to  whom  the  nabob  had  given 
the  phace  and  the  iriirrouiiding  grounds.  He  acknowledg- 
ed that  he  had  three  wives  and  fonr-and-twenty  children, 
and  that  he  was  much  addicted  to  the  use  of  intoxicating 
drugs.  With  this  man  tliey  urged  the  base  and  hcentious 
character  of  Mohammedanism,  and  the  superiority  of  Chris- 
tian principle.s  ;  lie  adn)itted  tlie  truth  of  their  representa- 
tions, and  promised  to  visit  them  at  Cuddalore. 

On  the  5th  of  March  liie  four  missionaries  again  held  a 
biblical  conference  on  Acts  x.  J?8,  in  which  they  encour- 
aged each  other  humbly  and  earnestly  to  implore  the  com- 
munication of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  in  the  power  of  that 
divine  grace  they  might,  after  the  example  of  their  hea- 
venly Master,  "go  about  doing  good."  Swartz  concluded 
with  an  impressive  prayer,  that  the  Lord  would  vouchsafe 
to  them  a  permanent  blessing  from  that  hour;  that  ac- 
cording to  his  promise  he  would  fill  them,  their  brethren, 
and  all  their  fellow-laborers,  with  his  Spirit,  for  the  sake 
of  the  great  JNlediator  and  Saviour;  that  he  would  preserve 
them  from  venturing  on  any  service  relying  on  their  own 
strengtii,  but  that  they  might  go  forth  in  his  power,  that 
thus  laboring,  they  might  never  want  all  necessary  light, 
strength,  and  blessing. 

Early  tlie  next  day,  the  four  missionaries  again  united 
in  thanksgiving  and  prayer  ;  and  in  the  strength  of  their 
Redeemer,  entered  into  a  covenant  to  be  his,  to  serve  him 
with  all  their  heart,  and  thenceforward  with  renewed 
energy  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor  Gentiles  around 
them.  "  Now,"  said  Swartz,  "  the  Lord  has  heard  what 
we  have  spoken  before  him.  May  he  give  us  light,  life, 
strength,  and  prosperity  ! "  The  Cuddalore  brethren  ac- 
companied  Messrs.  Kohlhoff  and  Swartz  a  few  miles,  and 
then  separated  after  a  cordial  farewell,  and  wishing  them 
abundant  grace  and  blessing. 

On  their  return  to  Tranquebar  they  had  frequent  oppor- 
tunities of  scattering  the  good  seed  of  the  word  of  God 
among  Peons  in  the  Dutch  service,  and  Hindoos  and  Mo- 
hammedans from  the  neighboring  towns?  Most  of  these 
were  fishermen,  of  which  class  of  natives,  though  there  are 
many  Roman  Catholics  in  the  south  of  the  peninsula,  few 
have  ever  been  converted  by  the  Protestants.  The  two 
missionaries,  sometimes  in  brief,  and  at  others  in  longer 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  65 

addresses,  declared  the  nature  of  the  true  God,  and  the 
vanity  of  idols,  the  misery  of  sin,  the  inefficiency  of  Pagan 
ceremonies,  and  particularly  of  bathing  in  the  sea,  to 
which  many  whom  they  met  were  resorting,  and  the  only 
effectual  atonement  of  the  cross.  To  those  who  made  in- 
quiries or  urged  objections,  they  gave  suitable  and  often 
satisfactory  replies,  and  received  promises  of  fartlier  atten- 
tion to  their  instructions.  To  some  Romish  Christians 
they  pointed  out  the  errors  of  image-worship  and  of  purga- 
tory, and  exhorted  them  to  repentance,  faith,  and  true 
godliness ;  and  finding  at  one  place  at  which  they  rested 
some  Protestant  converts,  they  preached  to  them,  inquired 
as  to  their  domestic  devotions,  and  reproved  the  negli- 
gent. 

On  the  9th  they  were  met  by  one  of  their  Tranquebar 
brethren,  and  on  approaching  the  mission  house,  the  Ta- 
mul  school  children  welcomed  them  by  singing  a  metrical 
version  of  Ecclesiasticus  1.  22 — 24,  "  Now  let  us  praise 
the  Lord,"  which  is  in  universal  use  among  Protestants  on 
the  continent.  The  missionaries  blessed  the  children, 
and  shortly  afterwards  their  remaining  brethren  met  them, 
and  united  with  them  and  with  several  officers  of  the  Da- 
nish troops  at  Tranquebar,  in  the  following  prayer  and 
thanksgiving,  offered  up  by  Mr.  Swartz. 

"  Praised  be  thy  name,  O  Lord,  in  profound  humility, 
for  all  the  grace,  protection,  and  blessing  which,  during 
the  whole  of  our  journey  thou  hast  graciously  bestowed 
upon  us  of  thine  undeserved  mercy,  for  the  sake  of  Christ 
our  Mediator  !  May  the  seed  of  thy  word,  which  we  thy 
poor  servants  have  sowed  on  our  journey,  spring  up  and 
produce  abundant  fruit,  that  we,  and  those  who  have  re- 
ceived the  word  into  their  hearts,  may  praise  and  adore 
thy  goodness  to  all  eternity  !  May  the  union  with  our 
brethren  at  Cuddalore,  which  has  been  renewed  afresh  in 
thy  sacred  presence,  be  productive  of  abundant  blessing ! 
Our  supplications,  which  we  have  jointly  brought  before 
thy  footstool,  with  regard  to  ourselves  and  the  flock  in- 
trusted to  us,  vouchsafe  graciously  to  hear,  and  to  let  us 
perceive  it,  for  the  strengthening  of  our  faith.  And  thus 
begin  anew  to  bless  us,  and  to  prosper  the  work  of  our 
hands.  Yea,  prosper  thou  our  handy-work,  O  Lord,  for 
the  sake  of  Christ,  and  of  his  bitter  sufferings  and  death  ! 
Amen." 

6* 


66  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER   III. 

War  in  the  Carnatic  between  the  French  and  English — Mr.  Swartz 
continues  his  usual  labors  and  excursions — Letter  to  Professor 
Francke — Expedition  of  Mr.  Poltzenhagen  to  the  Nicobar  Islands 
— His  death — Letter  of  Swartz  to  a  friend  in  Europe — Visit  of 
Messrs.  KohlhofF  and  Swartz  to  Negapatam — Conversations  with 
the  natives — Favorable  results  of  the  journey — Second  visit  to 
Negapatam — Swartz's  address  to  the  native  catechists — Capture 
of  Fort  St.  David  and  Cuddalore  by  the  French— Kindness  of 
Count  Lally  to  the  Missionaries — They  retreat  to  Tranquebar — 
Mr.  Kiernander  removes  to  Calcutta — Mr.  Hutteman  returns  to 
Cuddalore — Death  of  one  of  the  first  five  converts  of  Ziegenbalg  at 
Tranquebar — The  Fiench  army  approaches  Madras — Messrs.  Fa- 
bricius  and  Breithaupt  protected  by  Count  Lally — They  leave 
Vepery,  and  retire  to  Pulicat — An  English  fleet  relieves  Madras 
— The  French  army  retreats,  and  the  missionaries,  return  to  Ve- 
pery. 

Hostilities  were  now  raging  in  the  Carnatic  be- 
tween the  French  and  English,  who  were  contending  for 
the  superiority  in  India,  in  which  several  of  the  native 
princes  were  involved.  The  interior  of  the  country  was 
in  consequence  much  disturbed,  particularly  by  the  incur- 
sions of  the  Mahrattas,  who  supported  the  French  interest. 
The  ravages  of  these  predatory  troops  spread  desolation 
and  alarm  wherever  they  appeared,  and  the  poor  native 
Christians  participated  in  the  general  distress  ;  but  though 
the  operations  of  the  missionaries  were  occasionally  im- 
peded, and  eventually  those  who  were  stationed  at  Madras 
and  Cuddalore  suffered  considerably,  Mr.  Swartz  continu- 
ed his  usual  labors  and  excursions. 

On  the  8th  of  July  he  accompanied  Mr.  Fabricius,  who 
had  been  for  some  time  at  Tranquebar,  a  few  miles  on  his 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  67 

return  to  Madras,  and  on  leaving  him  he  directed  his 
course  into  the  interior,  to  visit  several  places  inhabited 
by  some  Christian  families.  He  was  attended  by  the  as- 
sistant, Martin,  and  while  instructing  the  native  converts, 
he  took  the  opportunity  of  allaying  the  prejudices  and 
fears  of  some  of  their  unconverted  neighbors,  as  to  the 
education  of  the  Hindoo  children  by  the  missionaries,  and 
of  convincing  them  that  they  could  only  be  desirous  of 
promoting  their  happiness. 

In  this  year  a  captain  in  the  Danish  navy  arrived  as 
governor  of  Tranquebar,  and  shortly  afterwards  gave  a 
pleasing  proof  of  his  sincere  regard  for  religion,  by  re- 
deeming a  poor  child  whom  her  mother,  while  a  heathen, 
had  sold  as  a  dancing  girl  to  a  neighboring  pagoda,  but 
who  having  subsequently  embraced  Christianity,  was  anx- 
ious to  rescue  her  from  that  wretched  slavery.  The  Da- 
nish governor  paid  much  more  than  had  been  given  for 
the  child,  sent  her  to  the  mission  school,  and  defrayed  the 
expenses  of  her  education.  She  was  afterwards  baptized, 
and  in  process  of  time  married  to  a  respectable  native 
Christian. 

On  the  10th  of  October  1755,  Swartz  wrote  to  professor 
Francke  as  follows. 

"  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  God  of  all  true  consolation,  salvation  and  life, 
who  mercifully  and  gloriously  helpeth  us  in  all  trouble  ! 
He  is  a  God  that  delighteth  in  our  life,  a  God  that  hum- 
bleth  that  he  may  exalt  us,  that  makelh  us  to  feel  our 
wretchedness  that  he  may  thoroughly  save  us  from  it.  My 
soul,  magnify  the  Lord  1 

"The  distress  of  the  Christian  congregation,  and  the 
insensibility  of  the  heathen  to  the  word  of  God,  often 
grievously  afllict  my  soul,  which  is  not  yet  experienced  in 
the  ways  of  truth.  However,  I  strive  as  well  as  I  am  en- 
abled by  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  cast  this  burden 
upon  him  that  is  mighty  to  help,  and  delights  to  bow 
down  to  us  in  mercy,  that  we  may  not  remain  and  sink  in 
trouble.  The  words  of  Christ  from  Isaiah  xlix.  4,  often 
occur  to  my  mind.  '  Then  I  said,  I  have  labored  in  vain, 
I  have  spent  my  strength  for  nought  and  in  vain  ;  yet 
surely  my  judgment  is  with  the  Lord,  and  my  work  with 
my  God.'     But  indeed,  the  following  verse  ought  to  allay 


68  MEMOIRS   OF 

all  grief,  and  to  bind  the  sorrowful  heart  to  the  word  of 
the  divine  promise.  The  unwearied  patience  and  mercy 
of  God  in  working  upon  my  own  soul  also  greatly  comforts 
me,  when  he  saiih  within  me,  '  Tell  it  once  more — go, 
announce  it  both  to  Christians  and  heathens  ;  for  thou 
thyself  also  wert  sometime  foolish,  disobedient,  deceived, 
serving  divers  lusts  and  pleasures;  and  yet  in  that  most 
corrupt  condition  deserving  wrath  and  death,  a  merciful 
God  hath  wrought  in  thee  for  Christ's  sake,  and  waited 
for  thy  conversion,  not  a  few,  but  many  years  — now  learn 
thou  also  to  wait  patiently  in  hope.  Now,  my  heart,  mind, 
thoughts,  desires,  designs,  and  all  my  will  be  altogether 
offered  up  to  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father.  Not  my 
will,  but  thine  be  done  !  Yet,  let  thy  kingdom  come,  in 
India  also,  to  myself  and  to  others  !' 

"  As  to  outward  circumstances,  a  gracious  God  hath 
paternally  preserved  me,  and  amidst  bodily  weakness 
mightily  supported  me.  Let  my  God  only  give  me  that 
which  Paul  was  enabled  cheerfully  to  say,  2  Cor.  v.  1,  '  We 
know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were 
dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens! ' 

*•  I  shall  waive  a  particular  account  of  the  circumstances 
and  concerns  of  the  mission,  since  the  most  important 
points  are  contained  in  our  common  letter.  I  only 
mention  my  heartfelt  joy  on  account  of  the  wonderfully 
kind  providence  of  God,  that  he  blessed  us  on  the  1st 
of  July  last  with  a  new  fellow-laborer  and  brother,  Mr. 
Peter  Dame,  in  whom  the  mind  of  Christ  is  so  pleasingly 
conspicuous.  As  we  little  expected  this,  it  hath  caused  us 
the  greater  joy.  In  the  Christmas  holidays  he  will,  by  the 
divine  blessing,  deliver  a  testimony  to  Christ  before  the 
concrregation.  Now,  may  a  gracious  God  grant  that  he 
may  prove  abundantly  successful." 

It  is  observable,  that  the  reports  and  joint  letters  of  the 
31st  of  December  1755,  and  ;JOth  of  June  1756,  were 
signed  by  eight  missionaries,  the  largest  number  ever 
residing  at  one  time  at  Tranquebar. 

In  September,  however,  1756,  Mr.  Poltzenhagen,  at 
the  request  of  the  Danish  government,  accompanied  the 
new  colonists  to  tlie  Nicobar  Islands,  both  to  act  as  their 
chaplain,  and  to  promote  the  civilization  and  conversion  of 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ,  69 

the  native?.  He  collected  much  information,  and  began  to 
converse  in  the  language  of  the  Islands,  when  a  short  ill- 
ness terminated  his  valuable  life  on  the  28th  of  November 
foilowinor,  in  the  flower  of  his  age.  His  labors  in  the 
Portuguese  congregation  and  school  at  Tranquebar  fell  to 
the  share  of  Mr.  Swartz,  till  Mr.  Dame  was  qualified  to 
undertake  them,  and  in  the  mean  time  Swartz  continued 
to  officiate  in  Tamul. 

The  French,  in  consequence  of  the  success  of  some 
of  their  military  enterprises  in  this  and  the  two  following 
years,  were  now  indulging  the  hope  of  becoming  masters 
of  the  greater  part  of  India.  This  encouraged  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  priests  to  reproach  and  threaten  the  native 
Protestant  converts,  and  even  stimulated  them  to  some 
acts  of  open  violence.  In  addition  to  this  source  of  un- 
easiness, a  dispute  between  the  Danish  government  and 
the  rajah  of  Tanjore,  led  to  an  incursion  into  the  Danish 
territory,  in  which  the  poor  Christians  suffered  depreda- 
tion, and  the  mission  church  at  Poreiar  was  considerably 
injured.  These  adverse  circumstances  did  not,  however, 
prevent  the  missicniaries  from  celebrating  the  9th  of  July 
1756  as  a  jubilee,  that  being  the  anniversary  of  the  day, 
on  which,  fifty  years  before,  the  first  Protestant  preachers 
landed  on  the  shores  of  India. 

The  missionaries  mention  in  their  journal  of  this  year, 
the  interesting  fact,  that  three  Mohammedans  were  in  the 
course  of  this  year  baptized  at  Vepory,  and  formed  the 
first  fruits  of  the  conversion  to  Protestant  Christianity,  of 
that  class  of  the  natives  on  the  coast  of  Coromandel. 

The  Tranquebar  journal  of  1757,  notices  a  visit  of 
Mr.  KohlholT  to  Seringham,  at  the  request  of  a  sick  Ger- 
man officer,  in  the  French  service.  While  there,  he  had 
several  opportunities  of  addressing  the  Brahmins  within 
the  great  pagod:i,  as  well  as  at  Trichinopolv,  then  gar- 
risoned by  the  English.  He  mentions  having  observed 
at  the  latter  place  the  simple  method  adopted  by  the 
natives  to  convey  immense  stones  to  the  top  of  the  highest 
buildings  without  machinery  ;  namely,  by  throwing  up  a 
sloping  mound  of  earth  against  the  building,  and  forcing 
the  stone  up  the  inclined  plane.  From  Trichinopoly 
Mr.  Kohlhoff  proceeded  to  Tanjore,  where  he  preached 
both  to  European  and  native  Christians,  and  was  invited 
to  a  conference  with  one  of  the  rajah's  ministers,  to  whom 
he  declared  the  truths  of  the  Gospel. 


70  MEMOIRS  OF 

Towards  the  close  of  this  year  a  letter  occurs  from 
Mr.  Swartz  to  a  friend  in  Europe,  of  which  the  following 
is  an  interesting  extract. 

"In  my  ministerial  functions,  no  variation  has  taken 
place,  except  that  I  have  been  upwards  of  nine  months 
in  the  late  Mr.  Poltzenhagen's  house,  and  have  had  the 
instruction  of  the  Portuguese  school  and  congregation. 
The  Lord  lay  his  blessing  on  it!  This  is  certain,  and 
I  learn  it  daily,  that  neither  is  he  that  planteth  anything, 
neither  he  that  waterelh,  but  God  that  giveth  the  increase. 
He  who  altogether  despairing  of  himself  and  his  own 
strength,  goes  out  in  all  humility  with  prayer  and  suppli- 
cation, seeks  that  which  is  lost,  and  then  waits  for  the 
former  and  the  latter  rain  from  the  Lord,  he  receiveth 
blessing  of  God,  and  is  preserved  from  much  disquietude. 
And  although  the  blessing  is  not  instantly  visible,  yet  God 
awakeneth  the  heart,  and  enableth  us  to  say,  '  At  thy 
word  I  will  let  down  the  net.  And  when  they  had  this 
done,  they  enclosed  a  great  multitude  of  fishes.'  This 
text  I  remember  frequently,  especially  as  it  is  that  on 
which  I  preached  my  first  sermon  at  the  University  ;  and 
by  means  of  which  God  has  produced  in  me  poverty  of 
spirit,  and  at  the  same  time  a  filial  reliance  on  his  word. 
May  he  teach  it  me  more  and  more,  and  inculcate  it  by 
his  Spirit  !  It  was  only  yesterday,  as  Mr.  Dame  and  I 
were  observing  the  obstinacy  of  the  poor  pagans,  we  spoke 
on  this  subject,  and  excited  each  other  to  look  off  from 
ourselves  to  God," 

Early  in  1758,  Messrs.  KohlhofF  and  Swartz  set  out  on 
a  visit  to  Negapatam,  which  is  about  twenty  miles  south 
of  Tranquebar.  They  proceeded  by  a  circuitous  route 
through  the  country,  in  order  that  they  might  have  more 
frequent  opportunities  of  addressing  both  Christians  and 
unbelievers.  In  the  evening  they  repeated  to  some  native 
Christians  at  the  village  where  they  rested,  the  sermon 
which  had  been  preached  that  morning  at  the  mission 
church,  on  the  gospel  for  the  day  ;  and  very  early  the 
next  morning  they  explained  to  them  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
addr.essing  at  the  same  time  some  suitable  instruction  and 
admonition  to  several  Roman  Catholics  and  heathens  who 
were  present.  At  their  next  station  they  lectured  on  the 
Creed  ;  and  here  it  may  be  observed,  that  their  converts 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  71 

being  universally  taught  to  repeat  the  Creed,  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  tiie  Ten  Commandments,  and  tlie  words  of  the 
institution  of  both  the  sacraments — a  lecture  on  any  of 
these  subjects  peculiarly  fixes  their  attention.  At  another 
choultry  in  which  the  missionaries  found  a  party  of  Mo- 
hammedans, who  readily  acknowledged  Jesus  to  be  a 
prophet,  they  discoursed  on  his  importance  as  a  Mediator, 
and  on  the  inestimable  work  of  redemption  ;  and  drawing 
a  parallel  between  Christ  and  Mohammed,  they  proved 
the  infinite  superiority  of  the  former,  and  urged  the  duty 
of  an  exclusive  f;iith  in  him. 

At  three  o'clock  on  the  following  morning  the  assistant 
who  accompanied  them  collected  a  small  party  of  Chris- 
tians, whom  the  missionaries  instructed  in  the  scriptural 
method  of  salvation,  and  with  whom,  as  was  their  con- 
stant custom,  they  prayed.  In  this  manner  they  pursued 
their  journey. 

On  the  way,  seeing  a  number  of  natives  passing  them 
hastily,  and  inquiring  the  cause,  they  were  told  that  a 
Brahmin  had  drowned  himself  under  the  pressure  of  pain  ; 
upon  which  they  took  occasion  to  point  out  the  wretched 
condition  of  their  guides,  and  exhorted  them  to  seek  the 
grace  and  peace  of  God  in  their  hearts,  wliich  would 
enable  them  patiently  to  endure  calamities.  Some  of 
them  insinuated  that  God  had  predestinated  the  Brahmin 
to  his  miserable  end  ;  but  the  missionaries  testified,  that 
God  was  not  the  author  of  evil,  but  was  a  lover  of  our 
temporal  and  eternal  happiness. 

On  their  arrival  at  Negapatam,  they  paid  their  respects 
to  the  Dutch  governor,  and  were  liospitably  received  by 
one  of  the  gentlemen  of  that  settlement.  During  the 
week  that  they  continued  there,  the  missionaries  were 
incessantly  engaged  in  various  religious  services  with  the 
native  and  European  Christians. 

They  preached  in  Tainul  and  Portuguese,  and  more 
than  once  in  their  own  language,  to  about  two  hundred 
Germans  of  different  ranks,  who  were  earnestly  desirous 
of  Christian  instruction.  They  visited  the  Lazaretto, 
where  a  number  of  lepers  were  supported  at  the  expense 
of  the  Dutch  East  India  Company,  and  gave  those  un- 
happy persons  a  suitable  exhortation.  On  their  return 
they  had  various  conversations  with  natives,  one  of  whom 
observed  with  great  simplicity,  "  We  have  books  wherein 


72  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  solar  and  lunar  eclipses  are  accurately  calculated, 
and  according  to  those  calculations  the  events  haprsn. 
Now,"  said  he,  "  as  these  prove  true,  so  we  believe  that 
other  points  contained  in  these  books,  which  concern  the 
divine  laws  and  heavenly  things,  are  true  also."  The 
missionaries  replied  by  explaining  the  difference  between 
physical  and  religious  truths,  and  pointed  out  the  fallacy 
of  arguing  from  the  results  of  natural  science,  to  the 
knowledge  which  can  only  be  derived  from  divine  revela- 
tion. It  need  scarcely  be  added,  that  on  many  occasions 
they  had  to  lament  the  inefficacy  of  their  instructions, 
but  on  others  they  met  with  willing  and  attentive  hearers; 
and  in  general  the  missionaries  observed  that  their  recep- 
tion was  more  favorable  in  places  under  Dutch  authority 
than  elsewhere,  the  official  servants  of  that  government 
being  free  from  the  prejudice  commonly  entertained 
against  natives  professing  Christianity,  and  often  even 
employing  them  in  preference  to  others. 

In  the  course  of  their  visit  to  Negapatam,  Messrs. 
Kohlhoff  and  Swartz  reminded  their  European  friends, 
that  it  was  their  duty  to  promote  the  kingdom  of  Christ  ; 
and  that  the  higher  the  station  in  which  God  had  placed 
them,  the  more  responsible  they  would  be,  if  they  neg- 
lected to  acquit  themselves  of  the  obligations  incumbent 
on  Christian  rulers,  to  be  nursing  fathers  of  the  church. 
The  governor  assured  them  of  his  readiness  to  favor  the 
advancement  of  Christianity  ;  and  in  proof  of  it,  promised 
that  as  soon  as  their  chaplain  returned,  he  would  begin  to 
build  a  church  for  the  use  of  the  native  Christians — a 
promise  which  in  less  than  a  year  afterwards,  was  faith- 
fully fulfilled,  when  a  building  for  this  purpose  was 
dedicated  in  the  presence  of  two  of  the  Tranquebar  mis- 
sionaries. 

Not  long  afterwards,  Mr.  Swartz  made  another  excur- 
sion into  the  interior  of  the  country,  accompanied  by  one 
of  the  native  assistants,  during  which,  several  Hindoos 
of  high  caste  listened  to  him  with  great  attention,  and 
said  on  parting  from  him,  "  You  are  an  universal  priest;" 
intimating,  that  he  was  worthy  not  only  of  being  the 
religious  instructor  of  Europeans,  but  of  themselves  also. 
While  on  this  short  tour,  he  experienced  from  many  of 
the  natives  marked  respect  and  kindness,  one  of  them, 
in  a  place  where  he  could  purchase  nothing,  voluntarily 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  73 

bringing  hot  water  and  milk    for   his  tea,  and  providing 
him  and  his  attendants  with  a  supper. 

The  good  effects  of  his  and  Mr.  Kohlhoff's  visit  to 
Negapatam,  were  soon  so  apparent  in  the  awakening  of  a 
concern  for  religion  in  the  minds  of  many  of  the  German 
Protestants,  that  at  their  urgent  request,  after  much  de- 
liberation and  prayer,  Swartz,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Klein, 
another  of  his  brethren,  made  a  second  journey  to  that 
station  in  the  month  of  April  following.  They  were  met 
by  the  two  native  catechists,  and  by  several  European 
gentlemen,  and  conducted  to  Negapatam.  There  they 
spent  another  week,  preaching  on  the  most  important  and 
impressive  subjects,  chiefly  in  German,  but  two  or  three 
times  also  in  Portuguese  and  Tamul,  to  the  native  con- 
verts. They  administered  the  sacrament,  distributee' 
books  and  tracts  of  piety  and  devotion,  and  departed, 
rejoicing  at  the  evident  proofs  afforded  by  many  of  every 
class,  of  their  cordial  reception  of  the  word  of  God.  At 
the  close  of  their  farewell  discourses,  the  Europeans  pre- 
sented the  missionaries  with  a  collection  for  the  poor  at 
Tranquebar,  amounting  to  upwards  of  thirty-two  pagodas, 
great  part  of  which  was  contributed  by  the  Dutch 
soldiers. 

It  had  been  customary  since  the  year  1 74 1 ,  after  the 
arrival  of  Messrs.  Kohlhoff,  Fabricius,  and  Zeglcr,  when 
the  country  catechists  and  the  teachers  in  and  near 
Tranquebar  assembled  once  a  month  to  read  the  report 
of  their  proceedings,  for  one  of  the  missionaries  to  give 
an  exhortation  on  some  text  of  Scripture,  to  stir  them 
up  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  important  duties. 
Lectures  in  divinity  were  also  given  to  the  most  able  and 
intelligent  among  them,  and  an  admonition  to  the  poor 
on  distributing  the  monthly  alms.  On  his  return  from 
Negapatam,  Air.  Swartz  addressed  the  catechists  who  had 
brought  their  reports,  from  1  Cor.  xv.  10,  "By  the  grace 
of  God  I  am  what  I  am,"  from  which  striking  example 
of  the  apostle,  he  represented  to  them  humility  as  an 
essential  and  most  important  quality  in  every  Christian 
teacher,  leading  him  to  entertain  the  lowliest  thoughts 
of  himself,  and  at  the  same  time  to  value  and  depend  on 
the  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  above  all  things. 

This  was  a  critical   year  to  the  British  power  in  India, 
and  to  the  missions  at  Cuddalore  and  Madras.     During 
7 


74  MEMOIRS   OF 

the  night  of  the  28th  of  April,  the  French  landed  a 
body  of  troops  near  Fort  St.  J)avid,  which,  being  joined 
by  others  from  Pondicherry,  ravaged  and  plundered  the 
neighboring  towns  and  villages  in  a  most  cruel  manner. 
Many  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Christians  fled  to  their 
adjacent  church  near  the  governor's  garden-house,  where 
they  trusted  that,  as  brethren  in  the  faith  with  the  French, 
they  should  be  safe.  Some  one,  however,  among  the 
invading  party,  having  reported  that  these  were  the 
English  Protestant  missionaries,  and  that  it  was  their 
church,  the  poor  Roman  Catholics  who  had  taken  refuge 
in  it  were  inhumanly  massacred,  and  the  church  rased 
to  the  foundation.  In  the  mean  time,  the  Protestant 
missionaries  were  by  the  good  providence  of  God,  safe 
within  the  walls  of  Cuddalore.  It  was  remarkable,  how- 
ever, that  a  person  at  Traiiquebar,  who  was  known  to  be 
connected  with  the  French,  when  the  news  of  their  attack 
reached  that  place,  expressed  his  conviction,  that  Messrs. 
Kiernander  and  Hutteman  had  been  put  to  death. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  the  French  troops  approached 
Cuddalore,  and  the  walls  being  very  low  and  weak,  it  was 
apprehended  that  at  the  rising  of  the  moon  at  midnight, 
they  would  storm  the  town.  The  alarm  of  the  native 
inhabitants  was  in  consequence  extreme  ;  and  they  came 
by  hundreds  to  the  missionaries,  with  their  most  valuable 
effects,  with  which  they  filled  the  mission  houses.  They 
were,  however,  spared  the  horrors  of  an  assault,  and  early 
the  next  morning  a  French  officer  brought  a  summons  to 
the  garrison  to  surrender  the  place  on  capitulation.  The 
English  commander  of  the  Fort  soon  afterwards  kindly 
sent  a  note  to  the  missionaries,  advising  them  to  accom- 
pany his  messenger  to  the  enemy's  camp,  in  order  to 
request  the  French  general  to  take  them  under  his  pro- 
tection. This  advice  they  thankfully  adopted,  and  fol- 
lowed the  flag  of  truce  by  a  circuitous  route  through  the 
country,  which  had  been  laid  waste  in  every  direction 
by  the  French  cavalry.  At  length  they  reached  the 
choultry  where  the  commander-in-chief,  the  unfortunate 
Count  Lally,*  had  fixed  his  head-quarters.  He  immedi- 
ately assured  them  that  they  had  nothing  to  fear,  and 
that  he   would  afford  them  every   protection.     His  own 

•  See  Orme's  History,  vol.  ii. ;  and  Mill's  British  India,  vol.  iii. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  75 

regiment  being  nearly  all  Irish,  the  officers  spoke  English, 
and  Colonel  Kennedy  accompanied  the  missionaries  some 
distance  on  their  return. 

Cuddalore  being  quite  unequal  to  a  defence  against  so 
considerable  a  force,  and  being  entirely  open  towards  the 
river,  the  governor  of  Fort  St.  David  agreed  to  the  pro- 
posed capitulation,  and  the  town  was  in  consequence 
delivered  up  to  the  French.  The  captain  of  the  grenadier 
company  of  the  regiment  Lorraine,  which  had  taken  pos- 
session of  the  Porto  Novo  gate,  received  orders  from  his 
general  to  send  a  guard  to  the  missionaries  to  protect  their 
houses,  and  they  e.xpressed  their  gratitude  by  affording 
refreshments  both  to  the  officers  and  soldiers.  They 
discovered  also,  that  the  German  captain,  Baron  Heide- 
mann,  whom  Mr.  Kohlhoff  had  visited  at  Seringham,  had 
given  orders  to  his  hussars  to  protect  them.* 

As  soon  as  the  capitulation  was  signed,  the  missionaries 
sent  a  messenger  to  their  brethren  at  Tranquebar,  inform- 
ing them  of  their  melancholy  situation,  and  requesting 
some  country  boats  for  transporting  the  mission  property, 
as  it  was  supposed  that  all  the  inhabitants  would  be 
required  to  take  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  French  govern- 
ment, and  it  was  no  longer  expedient  to  remain  at  their 
present  station.  The  next  day  the  English  garrison 
marched  out  of  Cuddalore,  and  some  French  officers  took 
up  their  quarters  at  the  mission  houses.  In  the  course 
of  the  day,  Count  Lally  himself  visited  the  missionaries 
and  conversed  with  them  in  English,  inquiring  what 
countrymen  they  were,  whether  Lutherans  or  Calvinists, 
wherein  their  functions  consisted,  and  how  far  they  had 
succeeded  in  making  converts.  He  kindly  gave  them 
passports,  and  granted  two  country  boats,  which  had 
arrived  from  Porto  Novo  with  provisions  for  the  French 
troops,  to  transport  their  goods.  With  much  difficulty 
they  contrived,  amidst  the  confusion  around  them,  to  get 
their  property  on  board.  The  missionaries  then  assembled 
their  little  Christian  flock,  and  lyieeling  down,  commended 
theiTi  to  the  Lord,  praying  that  he  would  guide  and  pro- 
tect them. 

Many  Christians  and  other  natives,  with  their  families, 


*  This  pious  officer,  about  two  years  afterwards,  quitted  the  French 
i[fervice,and  retired  to  the  mission  at  Vepery,  where  he  died  in  1761. 


70  MEMOIRS  OF 

were  allowed  to  accompany  the  missionaries  on  leaving 
Cuddalore.  In  the  evening  they  arrived  at  Porto  Novo, 
where  they  were  cordially  received  by  the  Dutch  resident; 
and  at  noon  the  next  day  at  Devi-Cottah,  where  the  Eng- 
lish gave  them  a  most  hospitable  welcome.  On  the  8th 
they  reached  Tranquebar,  where  houses  were  assigned  to 
them  by  their  kind  brethren  :  the  native  Christians  were 
lodged  for  the  present  in  the  puper  mill  at  Poreiar,  and 
the  Cuddalore  children  were  received  into  the  'J'amul 
school.  The  two  missionaries  insisting  on  taking  a  share 
in  the  labors  at  Tranquebar,  Mr.  Kiernander  assisted  in 
the  Portuguese,  and  Mr.  Iluiteman  in  the  Malabar  con- 
gregations. 

The  early  departure  of  the  missionaries  and  their  con- 
verts from  Cuddalore,  appears  to  have  been  highly  provi- 
dential ;  several  Jesuits  from  Pondicherry,  with  a  party  of 
their  followers,  having  arrived  the  next  day,  and  on  finding 
they  had  escaped,  expressed  their  disappointment,  as  well 
as  great  displeasure  against  Count  Lally  for  having  granted 
them  a  safe  dismissal. 

Most  of  the  native  converts  having  left  Cuddalore,  some 
having  retired  to  Tranquebar,  and  others  to  Madras,  Mr. 
Kiernander  perceived  no  immediate  prospect  of  being 
able  to  return  to  his  former  station,  and  in  consequence 
felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  engage  in  some  new  sphere  of 
labor.  After  mature  reflection  and  consultation  with  his 
brethren,  it  was  resolved  that  he  should  endeavor  to  estab- 
lish a  mission  in  Bengal.  For  this  purpose  he  proceeded 
to  Calcutta  in  September,  1758;  and  notwithstanding 
many  difficulties  and  discouragements,  he  labored  there 
for  some  years  with  exemplary  piety  and  diligence,  and 
with  considerable  success.  Mr.  Hutteman  remained  at 
Tranquebar  till  September  1760,  when  he  returned  and 
resumed  his  labors  at  Cuddalore,  which  had  been  retaken 
by  the  British  army.  There,  among  other  instances  of 
the  divine  blessing  upon  his  ministry,  he  was  the  instru- 
ment of  converting  a  Pandaram  of  the  highest  caste,  and  of 
great  respectability  and  learning,  in  Tanjoic  The  account 
of  this  distinguished  convert,  written  by  himself,  together 
with  the  remonstrance  of  his  brethren  of  the  college  of 
Pandarams  of  which  he  had  been  a  member,  and  his  ener- 
getic and  truly  Christian  reply,  are  contained  in  the  re- 
ports of  the  Society  for  promoting  Christian  Knowledge 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  77 

for  the  year  1765.  By  one  of  the  biographers  of  Svvartz, 
this  conversion  has  been  erroneously  attributed  to  him, 
instead  of  his  excellent  friend  Mr.  Hu  item  an,  to  whom, 
under  God,  this  honor  is  due. 

Notwithstanding  the  disturbed  and  critical  state  of  the 
surrounding  country,  the  missionaries  at  Tranquebar, 
which,  as  belonging  to  a  neutral  state,  had  suffered  none 
of  the  calamities  of  war,  celebrated,  as  they  were  accus- 
tomed on  the  31st  of  October,  the  anniversary  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformation,  by  singing  hymns  of  praise  to  its  divine 
Author. 

On  the  21st  of  November  in  this  year,  died  at  Tranque- 
bar, an  aged  woman,  who  was  one  of  the  first  five  converts 
to  Christianity  by  Ziegenbalg  and  Plutscho,  having  been 
baptized  on  the  12th  of  May  1707.  She  was  born  and 
educated  a  Mohammedan,  and  was  already  of  adult  age 
when  she  became  a  Christian.  Her  life  had  been  irre- 
proachable, and  she  had  regularly  attended  the  public 
services  of  the  mission.  At  her  funeral,  which  was  numer- 
ously attended,  a  short  address  appropriate  to  the  inter- 
esting occasion,  was  delivered  in  the  old  missiim  church. 

The  French  army  approached  Madras  in  November, 
availing  itself  of  the  monsoon,  during  which  the  English 
fleet  could  not  remain  on  that  station.  The  mis.sionaries 
at  Vepery,  Messrs.  Fabricius  and  Breithaupt,  observed,  in 
conseqiience,  a  day  of  penitence  and  prayer  ;  humbly 
deprecating  the  approaching  visitation,  and  imploring  the 
divine  protection  in  behalf  of  the  English  goverrmient, 
and  the  army,  the  country,  and  the  mission.  It  was  re- 
markable and  impressive,  that  even  the  youngest  children 
in  their  schools,  contrary  to  tl)eir  usual  custom,  joined  in 
the  amen  at  the  conclusion  of  tiieir  prayer. 

On  the  Gth  of  December,  the  French  began  to  invest 
Madras,  to  the  disappointment  of  numbers  who  had  in- 
tended to  retire,  among  whom  were  the  tnissionaries,  who 
had  made  every  preparation  for  transporting  themselves 
and  their  property  to  Pulicat.  The  French  army  being 
unprovided  with  artillery,  no  one  anticipated  so  sudden  an 
approach  ;  but  the  roads  both  to  the  south  and  the  north 
being  occupied  by  the  enemy,  and  the  missionaries  being 
unwilling  to  retreat  into  the  Fort  or  White  Town,  with 
their  numerous  families,  aged  persons,  women  and  chil- 
dren, they  had  no  other  resource  than,  in  the  event  of  the 
7* 


78  MEMOIRS  OF 

English  army  retiring  into  the  city,  to  endeavor  to  obtain 
the  protection  of  the  French  general,  Count  Laliy,  as  Mr. 
Fabriciiis  had  done  in  the  year  1746,  on  the  capture  of 
Madras  by  M.  Labourdonnais.  They  felt,  however,  that 
it  would  not  become  them  to  seek  such  protection  from 
the  French  general  before  he  had  rendered  himself  master 
of  the  country.  On  the  12th  the  French  army  advanced, 
and  after  firing  a  few  rounds  the  English  retreated  into 
the  fort.  Scarcely  had  this  movement  taken  place,  when 
the  Mohammedan  irregular  cavalry  of  the  French  army  gal- 
loped over  the  plains  ;  and  listening  to  no  representations  of 
the  missionaries,  forced  their  way  into  their  houses,  and 
robbed  and  plundered  them  of  every  thing.  At  length 
they  approached  the  church,  in  which  great  numbers  of 
men,  women,  and  children,  had  taken  refuge.  Here  they 
compelled  the  native  men  to  give  up  their  clothes  and 
turbans,  and  the  women  their  necklaces  and  earrings. 
"  Our  gracious  God,  however,"  observe  the  missionaries, 
"  without  whose  permission  not  a  hair  falls  from  our 
heads,  mercifully  preserved  his  servants,  so  that  their 
persons  were  not  touched,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
being  plundered,  no  one  sustained  the  slightest  injury." 
The  native  Christians  fled  across  the  river  into  Madras, 
to  which  Zvlr.  Breithaupt  and  his  family  also  escaped, 
while  Mr.  Fabricius,  escorted  by  a  friendly  Roman  Cath- 
olic trooper  whom  he  met  among  the  plunderers,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  French  camp. 

It  was  late  in  the  evening  before  Mr.  Fabricius  could 
obtain  from  Count  Lally  the  desired  protection.  The 
French  officers  expressed  their  regret  that  he  had  not 
sooner  applied  for  it,  adding,  that  on  such  occasions,  it 
was  not  in  their  power  to  restrain  the  excesses  of  the  Mo- 
hammedan troops.  The  missionaries,  however,  humbly  re- 
signing themselves  to  the  will  of  God,  felt  comparatively 
little  for  their  own  losses,  but  deeply  lamented  that  the 
property  of  many  persons,  particularly  that  of  some  widows 
and  orphans,  which  had  been  intrusted  to  their  care, 
should  have  been  thus  plundered  — a  circumstance  which 
led  them  afterwards  to  be  cautious  in  becomttig  such  de- 
positories, except  in  behalf  of  each  other. 

As  soon  as  Mr.  Fabricius  had  obtained  a  soldier  to 
protect  him,  he  returned  to  Vepery,  where  he  found  every 
thing  in  the  utmost  confusion  ;  most  of  the  mission  furni- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWART2.  79 

ture,  their  provisions,  books,  clothes,  and  utensils,  had 
disappeared.  Their  manuscripts  and  correspondence, 
though  scattered  in  every  direction,  were  happily  pre- 
served ;  and  some  of  their  more  useful  books  were  after- 
wards discovered.  Some  benevolent  friends  at  Fort  St, 
George  kindly  sent  Messrs.  Fabricius  and  Breithaupt  a 
present  of  money,  linen,  and  clothing  ;  and  thus  the 
providence  of  God  watched  over  them  and  supplied  their 
wants. 

Very  early  on  the  14th  of  December,  the  French  army 
defiled  past  the  mission-house  towards  the  northern  suburb 
of  Madras,  compelling  two  youths  of  the  Christian  con- 
gregation to  accompany  them  as  guides.  A  strong  de- 
tachment from  the  fort  here  attacked  the  French,  but  the 
English  were  repulsed  with  considerable  loss.  The  French 
plundered  the  Black  Town,  and  commenced  the  siege 
of  Fort  St.  George.  To  avoid  the  difficulties  and  dangers 
attending  such  a  scene,  the  missionaries,  about  Christ- 
mas, together  with  many  of  their  converts,  left  Madras, 
and  proceeded  to  Pulicat,  where  they  were  hospitably  re- 
ceived by  the  Dutch  authorities.  In  the  mean  time,  Count 
Lally  urged  the  siege  of  Madras  with  the  feeble  means 
which  he  possessed,  and  about  the  middle  of  February  1759, 
a  breach  having  been  made  in  the  walls,  notwithstanding 
the  utmost  efforts  of  Governor  Pigot  and  the  English  com- 
mander, the  veteran  Major  Lawrence,  preparations  were 
making  for  the  assault ;  when,  on  the  ICth,  the  very  day 
which  had  been  fixed  for  the  purpose,  an  English  fleet 
une.xpectedly  arrived  off  Madras,  and  in  two  hours  the 
French  officer  commanding  in  tiie  trenches  received  orders 
to  abandon  the  siege.  Tlie  next  day  the  French  army 
retreated  from  Madras,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks, 
the  missionaries  returned  to  their  peaceful  and  beneficent 
labors.  The  victory  of  Colonel  Coote  at  Wandewas,  and 
the  subsequent  capture  of  Pondicherry,  defeated  the  last 
hopes  of  the  French  in  that  quarter,  and  established  the 
British  ascendancy  in  the  Carnatic. 


80  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Tranquillity  of  the  Danish  missionaries  during  the  late  hostilities  in 
the  Carnatic — Visit  of  Mr.  Swartz  to  Ceylon — His  various  min- 
isterial labors  and  his  illness  in  that  island — His  reflections  on 
this  visit — Journey  with  Mr.  Kohlhoff  to  Cuddalore  and  Madras 
— His  religious  views  and  feelings  in  a  letter  to  a  friend. 

While  the  operations  of  the  missionaries  at  Cuddalore 
and  Madras  had  been  thus  painfully  interrupted  and  sus- 
pended by  the  hostihties  between  the  French  and  English, 
Mr.  Swartz  and  his  colleagues  at  Tranquebar  were  pur- 
suing their  accustomed  labors  in  comparative  tranquillity, 
and  affording,  as  we  have  seen,  hospitality  and  comfort  to 
many  of  their  Christian  brethren,  both  native  and  Euro- 
pean. 

From  an  early  period  of  the  Danish  mission,  some  cor- 
respondence had  been  carried  on  with  the  Dutch  ministers 
.in  Ceylon,  whom  the  missionaries  at  Tranquebar  had 
occasionally  supplied  with  copies  of  the  holy  Scriptures  in 
Tarnul,  that  language  being  spoken  in  the  north  of  the 
island.  Early  in  the  year  1760,  some  Christians  at  Co- 
lombo and  Jaffnapatnam  having  expressed  an  earnest 
desire  for  a  visit  from  some  of  the  Danish  missionaries,  for 
the  purpose  of  spiritual  instruction  and  edification,  Mr. 
Swartz  determined  to  comply  with  their  request,  and  on 
the  25lh  of  April  proceeded  on  his  journey  accompanied 
by  two  of  his  brethren. 

On  landing  on  the  island  of  Ceylon,  Mr.  Swartz  was 
kindly  received  by  the  Dutch  resident ;  and  on  the  30th 
of  April  he  arrived  at  Jaffnapatnam,*  where  Captain  de 

*  It  is  in  the  district  of  Jaffna,  of  which  Jaffnapatnam  is  the  chief 
town,  that  the  American  mission  is  situated. — Jim.  Ed. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  81 

Dohren  invited  him  to  be  his  guest.  The  two  Dutch 
ministers,  then  residing  there,  were  native  Tamuls.  After 
addressing  the  company's  interpreter  in  the  presence  of 
many  who  were  assembled,  on  the  characteristics  of  a  true 
Christian,  he  explained  in  the  evening  to  the  two  Dutch 
ministers,  in  their  native  language,  the  great  design  of 
missions,  the  duties  of  missionaries,  their  behavior  towards 
the  heathen,  and  the  best  method  of  conducting  schools. 
On  the  2d  of  May,  Swartz  preached  to  a  Christian  con- 
gregation from  Luke  xix.  10 — "  The  Son  of  man  is  come 
to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost."  And  on  the 
10th,  from  John  xvi.  5,  on  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the 
grounds  on  which  we  may  now  hope  to  become  partakers 
of  that  inestimable  gift.  On  the  5th,  he  visited  the  hospi- 
tal with  the  physician,  and  addressed  both  the  sick  and 
those  in  healtii,  from  the  words  of  St.  John  i.  29,  "Behold 
the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 
The  next  day  he  set  out  for  Colombo  to  request  permis- 
sion of  the  governor  to  administer  the  holy  sacrament  at 
Jaffnapatnam.  This  tedious  journey  occupied  twelve  days, 
and  he  arrived  at  Colombo  on  the  18th,  just  as  divine 
service  was  commencing.  In  the  afternoon  he  was  intro- 
duced to  the  Governor  Schreuder,  who  inquired  into  the 
design  of  his  visit,  and  then  very  kindly  giving  him  his 
advice  how  best  to  proceed,  opened  a  field  of  usefulness  far 
more  extensive  than  he  had  anticipated.  The  day  following 
he  devoted  to  a  visit  to  the  Dutch  clergymen,  conversing 
with  them  on  the  state  of  the  mission,  and  the  exertions  of 
the  Dutch,  in  behalf  of  the  heathen,  in  the  island  of 
Ceylon.  On  the  'iOth  he  dined  with  the  governor,  to 
whom  he  related  the  most  important  occurrences  at  the 
several  missionary  stations,  and  the  active  operations 
which  were  in  progress,  both  among  Christians  and  hea- 
then. From  the  'ilst  to  the  20tli  he  was  engaged  in 
preparing  those  who  intended  to  receive  the  holy  sacra- 
ment ;  but  about  this  time  he  appears  to  have  been  inter- 
rupted in  the  midst  of  his  pious  labors  by  an  illness  which 
continued  during  a  whole  month,  the  beneficial  effect  of 
which,  upon  his  own  mind,  he  afterwards  thankfully  ac- 
knowledges. 

On  recovering  from  this  indisposition,  on  the  17th  of 
July,  the  anniversary  of  his  arrival  in  India,  ten  years 
before,  Swartz  preached  a  sermon  preparatory  to  the  holy 


82  MEMOIRS  OF 

communion,  on  Matthew  iii.  2,  in  which  he  dwelt  much 
on  the  nature  of  the  motives  to  true  repentance.  The 
next  day,  after  a  discourse  on  I  Cor.  xi.  28,  in  which  he 
expatiated  on  the  happy  effects  of  worthily  approaching 
the  table  of  the  Lord,  the  bread  and  cup  of  blessing  were 
received  by  four  hundred  persons,  many  of  whom  after- 
wards acknowledged  the  powerful  impression  produced  on 
their  minds  by  their  participation  in  that  sacred  ordi- 
nance. 

On  the  following  day  Mr.  Swartz  received  an  invitation 
to  preach  the  word  of  God  to  the  Christians  at  Point  de 
Galle,  to  which  place  he  proceeded  on  the  22d,  and 
arrived  on  the  24th.  Several  members  of  the  congrega- 
tions met  bim  on  the  road  with  tears  of  joy.  On  the  26th 
he  commenced  preparatory  instructions  for  the  holy  sacra- 
ment, which  he  continued  till  the  30th,  when  he  preached 
on  Luke  XV.,  explaining  the  nature  of  true  conversion  ; 
and  on  the  next  day  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  persons 
were  admitted  to  the  holy  communion,  after  he  had  ex- 
horted them,  in  many  private  conversations,  to  choose 
that  narrow  way  which  leadeth  unto  life  eternal. 

On  the  1st  of  August  he  left  Point  de  Galle  for  Co- 
lombo, where  he  again  arrived  on  the  4th,  after  having 
administered  the  sacrament  at  Caltura.  The  road  to  the 
latter  place,  planted  on  both  sides  with  cocoa  trees,  he 
described  as  particularly  pleasant.  Having  now  spent 
more  than  three  months  in  Ceylon,  Swartz  commenced 
his  return  to  Tranquebar.  He  embarked  on  board  a 
Moorish  vessel,  much  enjoying  the  fine  view  of  Colombo 
from  the  sea,  and  commending  its  inhabitants  to  the 
divine  mercy.  Towards  evening,  having  lost  sight  of 
land,  the  Mohammedan  seamen  requested  him  to  relate  to 
them  the  history  of  Christ,  with  which  he  gladly  com- 
plied, calling  their  attention  to  the  difference  between  the 
Christian  and  Mohammedan  religion.  They  would  not 
admit  that  Mohammed  was  a  false  prophet,  but  behaved 
with  great  mildness  and  modesty. 

On  the  29th  of  August  he  arrived  at  Jaffnapatnam,  and 
after  preaching  from  Matt.  xxvi.  26,  he  administered  the 
holy  sacrament  to  thirty-nine  persons.  In  the  afternoon 
he  addressed  the  sick  at  the  hospital,  on  Luke  xv.  2,  "This 
man  receiveth  sinners."  He  visited  the  hospital  again  on 
the  following  day,  and   preached   in   the   morning  from 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  83 

1  Cor.  xi.  23,  when  eleven  persons  received  the  holy  com- 
munion.  In  the  afternoon  he  selected  for  his  text  the 
words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  Teach  me  to  do  thy  will."  Ps. 
cxiiii.  10, — exhorting  his  hearers  to  make  this  one  of  their 
chief  prayers  to  God. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  prior  to  his  departure,  Mr. 
Swartz  went  to  Point  Pedro  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the 
large  tree,  under  which  the  celebrated  Baldseus,  who  ac- 
companied the  Dutch  expedition  which  took  possession  of 
Ceylon,  in  the  seventeenth  century,  addressed  his  first 
discourse  to  the  natives.  Swartz  conversed  with  some 
Malabar  people  whom  he  met  on  the  spot,  and  preached 
the  Gospel  to  them.  On  his  return,  he  embarked  on 
board  his  vessel,  impressed  with  gratitude  to  God  for  the 
help  which  he  had  experienced  in  visiting  and  addressing 
so  many  different  congregations  ;  and  after  a  short  and 
pleasant  voyage,  he  arrived  on  the  Oth  of  Sept.,  in  the  port 
of  Negapatam,  and  concluded  his  journal  of  his  visit  to 
Ceylon  in  the  following  modest  terms.  "  With  a  humble 
heart  I  bless  the  name  of  the  Lord  for  the  grace,  help, 
and  protection,  he  has  vouchsafed  to  ine.  May  he  pardon, 
for  Christ's  sake,  all  my  sins  of  omission  and  commission; 
and  may  a  lasting  blessing  rest  on  all  I  have  done  and 
spoken  in  my  infirmity,  agreeably  to  his  word  !     Amen." 

In  a  letter  to  his  excellent  friend  Dr.  Francke,  dated 
Oct.  16th,  1760,  Swartz  thus  refers  to  his  late  voyage  to 
Ceylon  : 

"I  was  much  troubled,  and  even  somewhat  impeded  in 
the  discharge  of  my  duty,  by  a  dry  cough  in  January  and 
February  last,  which  always  greatly  increased  whenever  I 
attempted  to  remain  for  any  length  of  time  in  the  open  air, 
during  the  prevalence  of  northerly  winds;  on  which  ac- 
count an  opportunity  of  undertaking  a  voyage  to  Ceylon 
was  particularly  welcome  to  me.  When  I  reflect  how 
God  has  condescended  to  humble  and  purify  me  by  means 
of  an  illness  with  which  I  was  visited  at  Colombo,  I  am 
constrained  to  praise  him  in  silence.  '  All  the  paths  of 
the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth,'  even  when  it  would  seem 
as  if  he  had  visited  us  in  anger,  and  contrary  to  the  assur- 
ance which  his  word  contains.  I  have  reason  to  think 
that  the  seed  of  the  word  sown  at  Colombo,  has  been  pro- 
ductive, in  some  instances,  of  real  and  lasting  good.     The 


84  MEMOIRS   OF 

commanding  officer  at  Galle,  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  appeared  much  affected,  and  said  to  the  Lutlier- 
ans  :  '  I  suppose  you  would  be  glad  to  receive  a  similar 
visit  once  a  year.'  And  on  my  taking  leave,  he  thanked 
me  most  feelingly  for  the  edification  he  had  received,  and 
begged  me  to  come  again.  The  word  of  God  being  so 
scarce  in  that  island,  1  assure  you  that  the  divine  service 
was  conducted  in  a  very  solemn  and  edifying  manner. 
Indeed  my  inmost  soul  was  moved  by  it." 

Early  in  1761  some  circumstances,  communicated  to 
Mr.  Swartz  by  Mr.  Ilutteman,  induced  him,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  his  friend  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  to  undertake  a  journey 
northwards  to  Cuddalore  and  Madras. 

Near  a  river  the  two  travellers  met  with  a  Mohammedan 
chief,  and  some  of  his  people  entered  into  conversation 
with  them.  Mr.  Swartz  observed,  that  all  men  were 
strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth,  who  should  desire  a 
better,  even  a  heavenly  country,  which  it  was  impossible 
to  reach  by  any  works  or  merits  of  their  own,  but  only  by 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  They  listened  with  great  attention, 
and  as  often  as  the  name  of  Jesus  was  mentioned  the 
chief  added  that  of  Messiah.  On  parting,  he  requested 
the  friendship  of  the  missionaries,  and  wished  them  pros- 
perity. 

On  the  30th  of  January,  Mr.  Swartz  and  his  companion 
arrived  at  the  mission-house  in  Cuddalore,  admiring  the 
goodness  of  God,  by  which  the  town  was  preserved  during 
the  tumults  of  the  late  war.  Having  stayed  a  day  or  two 
and  preached  there,  they  pursued  their  journey  ;  and  near 
Pondicherry  a  native  Roman  Catholic,  with  his  wife, 
joined  them,  to  whom  they  pointed  out  the  happiness  to 
be  derived  from  the  pure  Gospel  of  Christ.  At  Pondi- 
cherry they  were  kindly  received  by  a  French  inhabitant, 
who  related  to  them  the  great  distress  they  had  suffered 
during  the  late  siege  of  that  place.  To  a  young  Brahmin 
whom  they  met  near  Mareikanam,  carrying  a  bench  on 
which  the  idol  Ramen  is  usually  placed,  and  who  accom- 
panied them  as  far  as  the  river  Kartiel,  Swartz  related  the 
history  of  the  creation,  and  fall  of  man,  and  the  redemp- 
tion by  Jesus  Christ,  and  testified  against  the  deplorable 
practice  of  idol  worship. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th  they  reached  Sadras,  where 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  85 

they  were  received  in  a  very  friendly  manner  by  the  Dutch 
commander  of  the  Fort,  and  distributed  some  German 
tracts  among  the  soldiers ;  and  on  tlie  8th  they  arrived  at 
Vepery,  from  which  their  brethren  had  been  compelled  to 
retreat  two  years  before.  They  visited  the  various  institu- 
tions at  this  station,  conversed  with  some  Mohammedans, 
and  exhorted  the  native  Tamul  Christians  to  walk  worthy 
of  the  Gospel.  On  the  10th  a  conference  of  the  mission- 
ary brethren  was  held,  at  which  the  native  assistants  were 
present.  On  the  15th  Mr.  Swartz  preached  in  Tamul, 
from  Luke  xxii.  39 — 46.  He  was  detained  at  Vepery  till 
the  10th  of  March,  by  a  contusion  which  he  had  received 
at  Sadras,  and  which  had  brouglu  on  inflammation  ;  but 
on  the  18th  he  returned  safely  to  Tranquebar,  where  he 
continued  during  the  remainder  of  the  year,  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  ordinary  labors  of  the  mission. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  17(52,  we  find  him 
in  a  letter  from  Tranquebar  to  a  friend  at  Halle,  giving 
the  following  pious  and  interesting  sketch  of  his  religious 
views  and  feelings. 

"  With  respect  to  my  present  circumstances,  I  feel  con- 
strained to  bless  God  for  the  manifold  mercies  showered 
down  in  the  past  year  upon  me,  the  least  of  his  servants, 
through  Christ's  atonement  and  intercession.  He  has 
supported  me  day  by  day  in  the  most  gracious  manner  ; 
he  has  instructed  and  reproved  me  by  his  Spirit ;  he  has 
never  left  me  without  consolation — therefore  my  soul  doth 
magnify  the  Lord,  and  my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my 
Saviour.  Indeed  I  have  the  greatest  cause  for  gratitude; 
for  the  Lord  has  regarded  the  low  estate  of  his  servant. 
My  joy  is  not  extravagant,  but  calm  and  abiding,  and  my 
great  aim  is  to  know  that  1  am  the  Lord's,  througii  Christ, 
that  I  have  found  grace  in  his  sight,  that  his  peace  rests 
upon  me,  that  I  can  confidently  approach  him  in  prayer, 
and  have  a  certain  hope  of  eternal  life  ;  so  that  even  days 
of  sickness  cannot  deprive  me  of  these  consolations. 

"  Many  of  the  Roman  Catholics  in  this  place  acknow- 
ledge the  superior  advantages  which  the  pure  Gospel  has 
over  the  confused  doctrines  and  traditions  of  men  ;  which, 
instead  of  relieving,  only  oppress  the  conscience.  Whea 
I  visit  them  in  their  houses  they  listen  to  me  gladly,  and 
I  affectionately  invite  them  to  convince  themselves  of  the 
8 


86  MEMOIRS   OF 

full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfac- 
tion, made  by  Christ  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  as 
the  foundation  of  their  faith  ;  and  that  believing  this,  they 
may  enjoy  peace  of  conscience,  and  become  partakers  of 
the  precious  blessings  obtained  for  them  by  his  sufferings 
and  death  upon  the  cross.  I  point  out  to  them  what  Jesus 
Christ  himself  has  taught  respecting  the  way  which  lead- 
eth  unto  life,  and  how  much  the  Romisli  Church  has  de- 
viated from  the  pure  doctrine  of  the  Gospel.  Father,  let 
thy  kingdom  come  !  O  send  forth  faithful  laborers  into 
thy  harvest !  " 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  87 


CHAPTER    V. 

Enlarged  sphere  of  Svvartz's  labors — Journey  to  Tanjore  and  Trich- 
inopoly — First  proceedings  in  tliosc  cities — Introduction  to  the 
Nabob  of  Arcot — Conversations  with  natives  near  Trichinopoly — 
Commencement  of  Divine  Service  with  the  Englisli  garrison — 
Contagious  fever — Services  of  Swartz  during  the  siege  of  Madura 
— His  removal  from  Tranquebar,  and  establishment  at  Trichinop- 
oly, as  a  Missionary  of  the  Society  for  promoting  Christian  Knowl- 
edge. 

Various  and  important  as  the  services  of  Swartz  had 
already  been,  it  must  be  evident  that  he  possessed  talents 
and  acquirements  which  qualified  him  for  a  spliere  of  more 
extensive  usefulness  than  the  narrow  limits  of  the  Danish 
territory  and  its  immediate  neighborhood  afforded.  An 
opportunity  for  thus  enlarging  the  scene  of  his  labors 
shortly  afterwards  occurred. 

In  the  month  of  May,  17G2,  accompanied  by  another 
missionary,  he  went  on  foot  to  Tanjore  and  'I'richinopoly, 
preaching  both  to  Christians  and  heathens.  At  Tanjore 
he  was  permitted  to  explain  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel, 
not  only  in  the  city,  but  even  in  the  rajah's  palace,  where 
he  took  occasion,  from  questions  wliich  the  officers  of  the 
court  asked  him  concerning  worldly  affairs,  to  turn  the 
conversation  to  religious  subjects.  The  rajah  was  present, 
and  heard  him,  but  was  not  visible. 

At  Trichinopoly,  where  he  remained  till  July,  he  was 
treated  with  great  kindness  by  the  English  ;  and  with  the 
assistance  of  Major  Preston  and  Mr.  Newton,*  a  room 
was  built  for  the  purpose  of  divine  worship,  and  as  a  school 


*  Brother  to  the  learned  Bishop  Newton. 


88  MEMOIRS   OF 

for  children.  In  September,  on  his  return  from  Tanjore, 
he  baptized  several  Hindoo  converts,  and  received  some 
Roman  Catholics  into  the  congregation,  after  having  pre- 
viously instructed  them  in  the  Protestant  faith. 

Though  Tranquebar  continued  for  some  time  to  be 
nominally  the  place  of  his  residence,  Trichinopoly  and 
Tanjore  began,  from  this  period,  to  be  the  chief  objects  of 
his  attention,  as  they  were  ultimately  the  principal  sphere 
of  his  missionary  labors.  The  former  of  these  two  cities 
contained,  at  this  period,  from  twenty  to  thirty  thousand 
inhabitants,  several  handsome  mosques,  and  a  palace  and 
gardens  of  the  nabob,  and  is  celebrated  for  its  stupendous 
rock  of  granite,  rising  within  the  fort  to  the  height  of  four 
hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  commanding,  from  that  emi- 
nence, an  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  In 
one  direction,  the  island  of  Seringham,  encircled  by  the 
diverging  branches  of  the  fertilizing  Cavery,  and  conspic- 
uous from  its  gigantic  pyramids  and  vast  and  venerated 
pagoda,  forms  a  rich  and  magnificent  object ;  while  the 
whole  scene  is  scarcely  less  memorable  as  the  principal 
seat  of  the  struggle  between  the  French  and  English, 
which  has  been  already  adverted  to,  for  the  empire  of 
India,  and  the  signal  triumphs  of  British  talents  and  valor. 
Such  was  the  spot  which  was  about  to  be  rendered  doubly 
interesting  by  the  Christian  labors  of  Swartz. 

"  On  my  return  to  Trichinopoly,"  he  observes  in  his 
journal,  "early  in  the  year  1703,  I  found  that  the  powder 
magazine  had  blown  up.  Among  other  Europeans  who 
lost  their  lives  on  this  occasion,  were  three  very  pious 
men,  by  whose  society  and  conversation  I  had  often  been 
refreshed."  With  reference  to  this  calamitous  event  he 
addressed  a  small  congregation  of  Germans  from  the  ad- 
monition of  our  Lord  on  the  fall  of  the  tower  in  Siloam, 
Luke  xiii.  4,  the  number  of  those  who  perished  having 
been  in  each  case  the  same.  "  This  event,"  he  adds, 
"  produced  a  beneficial  change  in  the  sentiments  and  con- 
duct of  many  of  the  inhabitants."  Mr.  Swartz  made  a 
collection  in  behalf  of  the  children  of  those  who  had  suf- 
fered by  this  melancholy  catastrophe,  which  amounted  to 
three  hundred  and  thirty  pagodas.  This  sum  he  applied 
to  the  establishment  of  an  English  orphan  school,  and  the 
necessary  books  were  obtained  from  Madras  and  Cal- 
cutta. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  89 

In  the  same  journal  he  mentions,  that  after  preaching 
from  Gal.  iii.  23,  on  the  different  effects  produced  by  the 
dispensation  of  the  law  and  that  of  the  Gospel,  he  admin- 
istered the  sacrament  to  thirteen  individuals,  among  whom 
was  a  family  which  some  months  before  had  attached  itself 
to  his  congregation  from  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  the 
members  of  which,  as  they  increased  in  the  knowledge  of 
divine  truth,  exerted  themselves  in  communicating  it  to 
others  of  their  acquaintance.  During  the  following  month 
he  was  engaged  in  preparing  several  native  converts  for 
baptism,  in  teaching  the  children  of  Europeans  to  read, 
and  instructing  them  in  the  Christian  religion.  He  visited 
the  sick  in  the  hospital,  and  devoted  his  evenings  to 
friendly  conversation  with  heathens  and  Roman  Catholics, 
who  frequently  collected  round  him  in  great  numbers,  lis- 
tening with  pleasure  to  his  instructions. 

While  he  was  one  day  reading  an  English  tract,  on  the 
fifteenth  chapter  of  St.  Luke,  under  a  shady  tree,  an  old 
Hindoo,  who  had  often  entreated  him  not  to  trouble  him 
with  his  Christian  tenets,  approached  him,  in  company 
with  several  others,  and  begged  to  know  what  he  was 
reading.  Mr.  Swartz  told  him  that  it  was  a  narrative 
of  the  truly  paternal  conduct  of  God  towards  us,  and  of 
our  refusal  to  render  due  obedience  to  his  kind  and  gentle 
government  ;  thus  abusing  his  mercies,  and  bringing  upon 
ourselves  distress  and  misery.  Notwithstanding  this,  there 
was,  he  said,  a  way  opened  by  which  we  might  return  to 
our  justly  offended  Maker,  and  become  partakers  of  his 
grace  and  benediction,  'i'lie  old  man  being  jjieased  with 
this  parable,  Swartz  j)roceeded  to  relate  to  him  that  of  the 
sower,  telling  him  why  the  seed  did  not  every  where  bring 
forth  good  fruit.  He  comprehended  this  also  perfectly, 
and  asked  whether  God  is  not  omnipresent.  "  Yes,"  he 
replied  ;  "  he  sees  every  thing  that  passes  on  earth,  whether 
it  be  good  or  evil  ;  but  his  omnipresence  is  formidable  to 
the  wicked."  The  Hindoo  said,  "  In  my  heart,  inwardly, 
I  worship  God."  "  If  that  is  the  case,"  rejoined  Mr. 
Swartz,  "  your  outward  conduct  must  prove  the  reverence 
which  you  profess  to  entertain  in  your  heart  towards  the 
Almighty.  What  would  you  think  of  a  man,  who  re- 
proached and  even  struck  you,  while  he  pretended  that  he 
had  cordial  love  for  you  in  his  Heart  V  The  Hindoo  con- 
fessed that  he  could  not  value  such  love.  "  Neither,"  he 
8* 


90  MEMOIRS   OF 

concluded  "  can  God  accept  the  homage  which  jou  pro- 
fess to  feel  inwardly  for  him,  while  in  your  words  and  con- 
duct you  deny  and  dishonor  him." 

It  was  during  this  visit  to  Trichinopoly,  that  Mr.  Swartz 
became  known  to  Mohammed  Ali,  nabob  of  the  Carnatic. 
He  was  walking  in  his  highness's  garden,  when  the  Mo- 
hammedan prince  himself  happened  to  enter  it,  and  sitting 
down  near  a  piece  of  water,  he  desired  him  to  approach, 
and  offered  him  some  refreshment,  which,  however,  he 
declined.  A  few  da3's  afterwards,  on  seeing  him  again, 
the  nabob  accosted  and  conversed  with  him  in  a  very 
friendly  manner.  His  chief  minister  always  behaved  with 
much  kindness  to  the  missionary,  and  often  said,  "  You 
have  no  regard  for  me  ;  for  you  seldom  come  to  my 
house."  Mr.  Swartz  had  much  conversation  with  this 
Mohammedan  ;  but  when  he  found  himself  closely  pressed, 
and  appeared  much  affected,  he  always  broke  off  the  visit 
abruptly. 

On  the  4th  of  May,  in  this  year,  Mr.  Swartz  went  to 
Caroor,  twelve  miles  west  from  Trichinopoly,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  instructing  some  Hindoos  of  high  rank  in  the 
Christian  religion.  "  They  listened,"  he  observes,  "  with 
great  attention  to  all  that  I  told  them  of  the  supreme  ex- 
cellence of  the  true  God,  and  of  the  redemption  of  man- 
kind from  their  ftdlen  state,  by  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  The 
next  day  I  assembled  a  number  of  the  natives  under  a 
tree  and  explained  to  them  the  Christian  doctrine.  They 
felt  how  vain  and  irrational  it  was  to  worship  their  numer- 
ous deities,  and  fully  approved  the  doctrine  of  one  God, 
the  Creator  of  heaven  and  earth.  I  also  visited  a  Brah- 
min, who  was  considered  the  richest  inhabitant  of  the 
place,  who  allowed  me,  without  interruption,  to  expose 
the  folly  of  idolatry,  and  then  said,  '  1  also  worsiiip  God.' 
We  were  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  a  Hindoo  who  fell 
on  his  face  before  him.  The  Brahmin  took  some  ashes, 
which  he  spread  over  the  poor  man.  I  told  him  how 
wrong  he  acted  in  accepting  honors  which  were  due  to 
God  alone.  Enraged  at  this  reproof,  he  exclaimed,  'Prove 
that  there  is  only  one  God.'  This  I  did  by  directing  his 
attention  to  the  great  works  of  creation.  He  dismissed 
me  by  saying,  '  In  the  same  way  that  we  bow  before  the 
body  of  a  man,  and  yet  mean  to  pay  respect  to  his  soul, 
we  bow  before  images,  and  intend   to  worship  God' — a 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  91 

plausible  excuse  which  has  been  urged  in  favor  of  idolatry 
in  all  ages,  but  which  is  at  once  derogatory  from  the 
majesty  of  the  Supreme  Being,  and  destructive  of  all  true 
and  acceptable  worship. 

"  Among  the  Euroj)eans  at  this  place,  there  were  some," 
says  Mr.  Swartz,  "  who  were  very  desirous  of  instruction; 
I  therefore  solicited  the  commanding  officer  to  allow 
prayers  and  a  sermon  to  be  read  to  the  soldiers  every 
Sunday.  To  this  he  willingly  consented,  requesting  me 
to  make  a  beginning.  I  gladiy  comi)lied,  and  he  publicly 
repeated  his  promise,  that  he  would  have  divine  service 
regularly  performed."  He  was  evidently  an  admirer  of  fine 
natural  scenery,  and  observes  of  that  part  of  the  country, 
and  particularly  near  the  river,  that  it  was  rich  and  beau- 
tiful, every  where  well  watered,  even  as  the  garden  of  the 
Lord.  The  neighboring  hills  afforded  a  delightful  prospect, 
and  most  of  their  summits  were  surmounted  by  a  pagoda. 

On  his  return  to  Trichinopoly  on  the  loth,  he  met  a 
Roman  Catholic  monk  clothed  in  a  yellow  habit,  similar 
to  those  worn  by  the  Pagan  priests,  attended  by  a  man 
who  carried  his  golden  fan,  as  well  as  by  a  drummer  and 
fifer.  He  had  a  long  conversation  with  him  on  the  doc- 
trines of  Christianity,  to  which  the  Roman  Catholic  as- 
sented, but  paid  no  further  regard  to  his  observations. 

In  the  course  of  this  month  an  infectious  fever  carried 
off  many  people,  but  Swartz  was  mercifully  preserved. 
The  Hindoos  employed  idolatrous  incantations  for  the 
cure  of  the  sick  ;  but  he  earnestly  admonished  them  to 
apply  for  help  to  that  omnipotent  Being,  who  is  alone  able 
to  deliver,  and  who  designed,  he  said,  by  such  dispensa- 
tions, to  draw  them  to  himself 

The  only  notice  which  occurs  of  his  proceedings  durincr 
the  interval  which  elapsed  from  this  period  to  the  time  of 
his  removal  from  Tranquebar,  is  in  the  Report  of  the 
Society  for  promoting  Christian  Knowledge  for  the  year 
1766.  In  an  extract  from  a  letter  of  Mr.  Hutteman  it  is 
stated,  that  Mr.  Swartz  "had  been  of  infinite  service  to 
the  English  army  during  the  bloody  siege  of  IMadura." 
The  event  thus  referred  to,  was  occasioned  by  the  attempt 
of  the  unfortunate  Mohammed  Issoof  to  establish  his  inde- 
pendence in  that  district.*  He  had  been  in  the  Company's 

*  Mill's  India,  vol.  iii.  p.  344. 


92  MEMOIRS   OF 

service  as  commandant  of  the  English  Sepoys  at  Trichi- 
nopoly,  and  had  been  vigorously  employed,  from  the  relief 
of  Madras  to  the  fail  of  Pondicherry,  in  reducing  the  re- 
fractory Polygars,  and  other  local  chiefs  in  the  south  of  the 
peninsula.  Having  proposed  to  become  responsible  for 
the  revenue  of  that  part  of  the  country,  which,  not  being 
as  yet  in  a  state  of  tranquillity  and  order,  was  in  reality 
unproductive,  and  failing  in  the  payment  of  the  stipulated 
sum,  the  nabob  of  the  Carnatic  and  the  Madras  government 
proceeded  to  enforce  their  claims  ;  and  for  this  purpose, 
in  the  month  of  August  1763,  a  combined  army  of  natives 
and  British  troops  marched  to  Madura.  Mohammed  Issoof 
endeavored  by  negotiation,  and  by  the  influence  of  his 
friends  among  the  English,  to  ward  off  the  blow  ;  but 
finding  these  efforts  unavailing,  he  resolved  on  hazarding 
a  struggle  in  his  own  defence.  Brave  and  enterprising 
as  he  was,  his  subjugation  was.  by  no  means  easy.  He 
successfully  resisted  several  assaults  on  the  fort,  in  one  of 
which  Major  Preston,  the  commander  of  the  English 
troops,  whom  Mohammed  had  intimately  known,  and  who 
had  assisted  Swartz  on  his  first  visit  to  Trichinopoly,*  un- 
happily fell  in  the  breach.  After  honorably  restoring  the 
dead  body  of  his  former  military  friend  to  the  British 
camp,  and  baffling  all  tlie  efforts  of  the  besieging  army  till 
the  month  of  October  1704,  Mohammed  Issoof  was  betrayed 
by  one  of  his  own  people  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies, 
and  Madura  surrendered  to  the  combined  forces.t 

It  was  during  this  destructive  siege  that  Swartz  is  re- 
ported to  have  been  signally  useful  to  the  English  army. 
The  precise  nature  of  his  services  is  not  stated  ;  but 
judging  from  his  subsequent  conduct,  it  is  probable  that 
they  were  not  confined  to  his  pious  attendance  on  the  sick 
and  wounded,  but  extended  to  some  substantial  benefits, 
which  his  growing  influence  among  the  natives  might 
have  enabled  him  to  render  in  facilitating  the  supplies  of 
the  army  in  a  desolated  country  during  a  long  and  pro- 
tracted contest. 

It  was  in  the  year  17(56,  that  the  Society  for  promoting 
Christian  Knowledge,  anxious  to  extend  their  influence  in 

*  See  p.  87. 

t  An  American  Mission  was  commenced  at  Madura  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1834,  by  missionaries  detached  for  that  purpose  from  the 
Ceylon  Mission. — Am.  Ed. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  93 

India,  resolved,  in  consequence  of  representations  from 
Tranquebar,  on  establishing  a  mission  at  Trichinopoly. 
The  frequent  visits  of  Swartz  to  that  city,  and  the  favor- 
able manner  in  which  his,  labors  had  been  received, 
encouraged  the  proposal  of  a  settlement  there,  and,  inde- 
pendently of  his  eminent  qualifications  for  usefulness, 
evidently  pointed  him  out  as  the  most  eligible  person  to 
be  placed  in  that  important  station.  Deeply  as  his  breth- 
ren at  Tranquebar  regretted  the  removal  of  so  able  and 
excellent  a  colleague,  they  readily  acquiesced  in  this 
arrangement,  which  was  also  sanctioned  by  the  approba- 
tion of  the  Royal  Mission  College  at  Copenhagen.  He 
accordingly  quitted  Tranquebar,  and  fixed  his  residence 
at  Trichinopoly.  Towards  the  close  of  the  same  year, 
the  Rev.  Christian  William  Gericke,  who  had  been  re- 
commended to  the  Society  by  professor  Francke,  and  who 
afterwards  proved  so  faithful  and  zealous  a  fellow-laborer, 
arrived  in  India  as  an  associate  with  Mr.  Ilutteman  at 
Cuddalore. 

An  early  communication  from  Swartz  to  the  venerable 
Society  with  which  he  was  connected,  acknowledges  "the 
goodness  of  God  to  the  poor  Hindoos  in  directing  their 
hearts  to  establish  a  mission  at  Trichinopoly,"  and  ex- 
presses "  his  particular  obligations  to  them  for  choosinof 
him  as  their  missionary;  the  duty  of  which  office  he  hum- 
bly hoped  God  would  enable  him  to  perform,  to  the  honor 
of  his  holy  name."  How  fully  and  delightfully  this  pious 
hope  was  realized,  will  appear  in  the  sequel  of  these  Me- 
moirs, 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Sketch  of  Swartz  and  his  early  proceedings  at  Trichinopoly,  by  the 
late  W.  Chambers,  Esq. — He  builds  a  church  at  that  place — Mis- 
sion-house and  schools  at  Trichinopoly — War  between  Hyder  Ali 
and  the  great  powers  of  Southern  India — Swartz  visits  his  brethren 
at  Tranquebar — Incidents  on  his  journey — His  visits  to  the  sick 
and  wounded  at  Trichinoooly — Conversations — Letters  to  friends 
in  Europe — iStuit;  of  lanjore  u,t  iiini,  perioa — The  hujjc  of  Swartz 
as  to  the  diffusion  of  Christianity — Conclusion  of  his  journal  for 
the  year  1768. 

Of  the  settlement  and  early  labors  of  Swartz  at  Trichi- 
nopoly, as  well  as  of  his  talents,  disposition,  and  character, 
a  most  interesting  and  authentic  account  is  contained  in 
the  following  extracts  from  a  letter  to  a  friend  by  the  late 
William  Chambers,  Esq.,  brother  of  Sir  Robert  Chambers, 
formerly  chief  justice  of  Bengal.  Mr.  Chambers  was  not 
in  the  service  of  the  East  India  Company,  but  engaged  in 
commercial  pursuits,  first  at  Madras,  and  afterwards  in 
Bengal,  and  was  eminently  distinguished  by  his  talents 
and  acquirements,  particularly  as  an  Oriental  scholar,  as 
well  as  for  the  superior  excellence  of  his  moral  and  relig- 
ious character.  He  was  for  some  years  a  corresponding 
member  of  the  Society  for  promoting  Christian  Knowledge, 
and  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  propagation  of  Christianity 
in  India,  of  which  his  translation  of  the  greater  part  of  the 
Gospel  of  St.  Matthew  into  Persian,  and  the  share  which 
he  took  in  tlie  establishment  of  the  mission  church  at 
Calcutta,  were  valuable  and  important  proofs. 

The  letter  from  which  the  following  extracts  are  given, 
appears  to  have  been  written  towards  the  close  of  Mr. 
Chambers'  life,  and  to  have  been  intended  to  comprise  a 
more  extensive  account  of  Mr.  Swartz's  character  and 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  95 

labors.  It  is,  unhappily,  only  a  fragment,  and  was  pro- 
bably interrupted  by  the  premature  death,  which  deprived 
his  family  and  the  extensive  circle  in  which  he  moved,  of 
this  distinguished  and  excellent  person.  Short,  however, 
as  it  is,  it  will  be  found  highly  valuable  and  interesting, 
particularly  as  containing  a  most  graphic  description  of 
the  person,  habits,  and  manners  of  Swartz,  by  one  who 
enjoyed  during  many  years  the  high  privilege  of  his  inti- 
mate friendship,  and  who  was  well  qualified  to  appreciate 
the  peculiar  excellencies  of  his  character.  Mr.  Chambers' 
letter,  which  is  in  his  own  hand-writing,  without  any 
mention  of  place  or  date,  and  evidently  rough  and  unfin- 
ished, commences  as  follows  ; — 

"  As  you  wish  me  to  give  you  some  account  of  Mr. 
Swartz  and  his  evangelical  labors  on  the  coast  of  Coro- 
raandel,  I  sit  down  to  satisfy  you,  though  with  a  deep 
conviction  of  my  own  unfitness  to  do  justice  to  such  a 
subject. 

"  In  the  year  1767  I  made  a  journey  from  Madras  to 
Trichinopoly,  where  Mr.  Swartz  then  resided,  which 
first  introduced  me  to  his  acquaintance.  I  undertook  that 
journey  for  the  purpose  of  attaining  the  Malabar  (Tamul) 
and  Persian  tongues  ;  and  as  he  was  a  master  of  the 
former,  and  was  studying  the  latter  of  these  languages,  I 
was  naturally  desirous  to  contract  an  intimacy  with  him 
during  my  stay  there,  which  lasted  about  two  years.  In 
that  period,  however,  it  must  be  confessed  I  had  more 
opportunities  of  viewing  the  evidence  of  his  character  than 
the  detail  of  his  work  ;  for  being  myself  engrossed  at  one 
time  by  a  long  scries  of  ill  healtli,  and  at  others  by  a 
course  of  arduous  study,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  tliat  I 
could  have  such  views  of  his  success  as  a  clerical  charac- 
ter might  have  had  who  had  accompanied  him  in  his  labors 
and  excursions.  I  must  also  add,  that  as  the  study  of  the 
Malabar  tongue  was  to  me  a  subordinate  pursuit,  my  pro- 
ficiency in  that  language  was  not,  during  my  stay  at 
Trichinopoly,  such  as  might  enable  me  to  converse 
largely  witli  those  people,  so  as  to  judge  of  their  sincerity 
in  the  faith  which  they  professed. 

"  Having  premised  thus  much  to  show  the  disadvantages 
under  which  I  write,  I  proceed  to  state  to  you  all  that  my 
memory  presents  to  me,  of  what   I   then  learnt  and  was 


96  MEMOIRS   OF 

witness  to,  and  this  I  shall  endeavor  to  do  with  plainness 
and  simplicity. 

"  I  had  often  heard  mention  of  Mr.  Swartz  before  I 
went  thither,  as  a  man  of  great  zeal  and  piety,  and  of 
considerable  attainments  in  the  languages  of  the  country; 
but  as  these  accounts  were  in  general  given  me  by  those 
who  viewed  the  excellence  of  a  religious  character  through 
the  medium  of  popular  prejudice,  my  ideas  of  him  were 
very  imperfect ;  and  as  I  myself  had  then  scarcely  any 
better  rule  of  judging,  a  preconceived  notion  of  great 
strictness  and  austerity  had  mixed  itself  with  every  thing 
I  had  heard  in  his  praise.  The  first  sight  of  him,  how- 
ever, made  a  complete  revolution  in  my  mind  as  to  this 
point.  His  garb,  indeed,  which  was  pretty  well  worn, 
seemed  foreign  and  old-fashioned  ;  but  in  every  other 
respect  his  appearance  was  the  reverse  of  all  that  could 
be  called  forbidding  or  morose.  Figure  to  yourself  a 
stout  well-made  man,  somewhat  above  the  middle  size, 
erect  in  his  carriage  and  address,  with  a  complexion 
rather  dark,  though  healthy,  black  curled  hair,  and  a 
manly  engaging  countenance  expressive  of  unaffected  can- 
dor, ingenuousness,  and  benevolence  ;  and  you  will  have 
an  idea  of  what  Mr.  Swartz  appeared  to  be  at  first  sight. 
During  the  intimacy  which  I  had  afterwards  the  happi- 
ness to  contract  with  him,  I  learnt  the  following  particu- 
lars of  his  past  history." 

Here  Mr.  Chambers  briefly  details  the  account  which 
has  been  already  more  fully  given  of  the  birth  and  educa- 
tion of  Swartz,  of  his  employment  as  a  tutor  in  the 
orphan  house  at  Halle,  and  of  his  proposal  to  become  a 
missionary  ;  of  the  interesting  deliberation  of  his  father 
upon  this  important  subject,  his  consent  to  the  plan,  and 
the  departure  of  his  son  to  England  for  the  purpose  of 
embarking  for  the  East  Indies.  Mr.  Chambers  then 
proceeds  as  follows. 

"  His  first  residence  in  India  was  at  the  Danish  mission 
at  Tranquebar,  where  he  was  initiated  into  the  Tamul 
(improperly  called  the  Malabar)  language,  which  is  the 
vernacular  tongue  of  almost  all  the  countries  that  are 
governed  by  the  nabob  of  Arcot.  As  this  is  the  language 
of  an  ancient,  wealthy,  and  sagacious  people,  who  have 
cultivated  their  own  learning  assiduously,  and  have  aboun- 
ded in  the  arts  of  life  from  a  remote  antiquity,  it  is  of 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  97 

course  of  great  extent,  and  its  pronunciation  is  at  the 
same  time  exceedingly  difficult  to  Europeans.  Mr.  Swartz 
deeming  it  necessary,  in  order  to  converse  with  advantage 
with  these  people,  to  he  well  acquainted  with  their  system 
of  theology,  whatever  it  was,  spent  J?ve  years,  after  he 
had  attained  some  proficiency  in  their  language,  in  read- 
ing their  mythological  books  only.  Hard  and  irksome  as 
this  task  must  have  been  to  a  devout  mind,  he  has  reaped 
this  benefit  from  it,  that  he  can  at  any  time  command 
the  attention  of  the  Malabars  by  allusions  to  their  favorite 
books  and  histories,  which  he  never  fails  to  make  sub- 
servient to  the  truth.  He  also  learnt  at  Tranquebar  the 
Portuguese  tongue,  particularly  that  dialect  of  it  which  is 
used  by  the  Portuguese  who  are  natives  of  India.  The 
missionaries  have  found  great  numbers  of  these,  in  every 
place  at  which  they  have  settled,  ready  to  embrace  the 
Protestant  faith,  or  who  having  already  embraced  it,  or 
been  brought  up  in  it  as  servants  to  Protestant  masters, 
were  in  need  of  instruction  and  of  pastors.  VV'illing, 
therefore,  to  seek  souls  wherever  they  were  to  be  found, 
they  have  all  voluntarily  added  the  study  of  Portuguese 
to  that  of  Malabar,  and  preach  and  instruct  in  that  lan- 
guage also. 

"  Mr.  Swartz,  however,  while  engaged  in  these  pursuits 
at  Tranquebar,  found  his  province  there  somewhat  con- 
fined, and  therefore  sought  and  obtained  permission  to  go 
and  establish  an  English  mission  at  Trichinopoly,  where 
the  Gospel  had  not  hitherto  been  preached,  at  least  not 
for  a  continuance.  He  was  there  happy  in  a  correspon- 
dence and  frequent  intercourse  with  another  young  mis- 
sionary named  Dame,  who  was  settled  at  Tanjore,  and 
was  as  fervent  and  zealous  as  himself.  The  same  spirit 
and  the  same  pursuit  soon  drew  them  into  the  strictest 
bond  of  Christian  friendship — the  snblimest  of  all  earthly 
affections.  Their  prayers,  their  labors,  and  their  souls, 
were  united  in  the  same  glorious  and  never-dying  cause, 
for  which  they  had  both  resigned  all  temporal  prospects. 
But  Mr.  Swartz  did  not  long  enjoy  this  source  of  comfort; 
for  being  called  once  suddenly  to  see  his  friend,  he  has- 
tened to  Tanjore,  and  found  him  dead. 

"  At  Trichinopoly  he  had  much  to  do  with  very  narrow 
means.     His  whole  income  was   ten  pagodas  per  month, 
or  about  48/.  per  annum  ;  and  he  had  no  other  fund  for 
9 


98  MEMOIRS  OF 

making  a  new  establishment.  I  must  here,  however, 
observe,  that  though,  computing  at  the  usual  rate  of 
exchange,  one  hundred  and  twenty  pagodas  must  be 
allowed  to  be  equivalent  to  48/.,  yet  if  we  estimate  it 
according  to  the  effective  value  of  money  in  India  and 
in  England,  it  will  not  be  equal  to  half  that  sum.  I  mean, 
that  a  European  may  live  much  better  in  England  on  24/. 
per  annum  than  he  could  in  India  for  one  hundred  and 
twenty  pagodas.  Let  us  see,  then,  how  he  managed  with 
this  income.  He  obtained  of  the  commanding  officer, 
who  perhaps,  was  ordered  to  furnish  him  with  quarters, 
a  room  in  an  old  Gentoo  building  which  was  just  large 
enough  to  hold  his  bed  and  himself,  and  in  which  few 
men  could  stand  upright.  With  this  apartment  he  was 
contented.  A  dish  of  rice  and  vegetables  dressed  after 
the  manner  of  the  natives  was  what  he  could  always  sit 
cheerfully  down  to;  and  a  piece  of  dimity  dyed  black,  and 
other  materials  of  the  same  homely  sort,  sufficed  him  for 
an  annual  supply  of  clothing.  Thus  easily  provided  as 
to  temporalities,  his  only  care  was  to  '  do  the  work  of  an 
evangelist.'  He  preached  to  the  natives  incessantly,  both 
in  the  town  and  in  the  villages  around,  and  was  not  long 
without  a  congregation  of  converted  Hindoos;  and  among 
them  three  or  four  who  were  capable  of  instructing  others, 
whom  he  therefore  entertained  as  catechists  and  con- 
trived to  maintain  out  of  his  little  income. 

"  But  these  were  not   his  only  labors  at  Trichinopoly. 
He  found   there  a  large  English  garrison  without  a  chap- 
lain ;  to  these,  also,  he  sought  to   be  of  service  by  every 
means  in  his  power.     The  kindness  of  his  heart  and  the 
unaffected  simplicity  of  his  manners   soon   procured  him 
a  civil  reception  among  them,  and  he  improved  this  into 
an   opportunity  of  gaining  a   knowledge  of  the   English 
language,  with   which   he  was  unacquainted   at   his  first 
coming.     After   he   had   made,  liovvever,  but  a  small  pro- 
ficiency in  English,  he  undertook  to  read  the  service  to 
the  garrison  on  Sundays,  and   he   at  the  same  time  read 
them  sermons  from  those  of  our  English  divines  in  whose 
writings  he  discovered   an  evangelical  spirit.     But  since 
he   has   attained   a   more    perfect  acquaintance  with  our 
language,  he   has  proceeded  to  preach  extempore,  which 
I  am   told  he  still  continues,  and  is  enabled  to  command 
the  utmost  attention  in  his  auditory. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  99 

"It  is,  indeed,  astonishing,  if  we  consider  the  manners 
of  our  troops  in  India,  how  he  has  been  able  to  persuade 
whole  garrisons.  At  first  he  prevailed  upon  them  to  meet 
in  a  large  apartment  in  an  old  Gentoo  building  ;  but  in 
time  the  garrison  resolved  to  subscribe  to  erect  themselves 
a  church ;  and  the  money  which  would  have  been  thought 
by  contractors  a  very  inadequate  sum  for  a  public  build- 
ing, was  so  well  husbanded,  and  the  materials  and  work, 
in  consequence  of  Mr.  Svvartz's  knowledge  of  the  country 
and  its  language,  were  procured  so  exceedingly  cheap, 
that  a  very  handsome,  lofty,  and  roomy  structure  was 
raised  out  of  it." 

Here,  it  is  much  to  be  regretted,  Mr.  Chambers'  able 
and  interesting  sketch  abruptly  terminates.  Writing,  as 
it  is  probable,  many  years  after  the  early  period  which 
alone  it  comprises,  during  which  a  constant  epistolary 
correspondence  was  maintained  by  these  two  excellent 
men,  of  which  consideral)le  extracts  will  hereafter  be 
given,  had  he  been  permitted  to  complete  his  intention, 
a  more  extensive  memoir  would  nearly  have  been  super- 
seded. Brief,  however,  as  the  preceding  fragment  is,  it 
contains  a  most  faithful  and  anini^ited  outline  "^f  Swartz's 
character  and  labors,  and  recognizes  those  scriptural  and 
sublime  principles,  and  that  sim|)le,  disinterested,  and 
energetic  devotion  to  the  great  work  in  which  he  had 
engaged,  which  so  eminently  and  uniformly  distinguished 
him  throughout  his  long  and  holy  career.  The  picture 
which  Mr.  Chambers  has  so  unaffectedly,  yet  so  power- 
fully, drawn  of  his  venerated  friend  at  the  commencement 
of  his  settlement  at  Trichinopoly,  suh.'^tantially  resembles 
him  during  every  subsequent  period  of  his  life.  No  man 
ever  maintained  a  more  unvaryitig  and  consistent  course. 
"Qualis  ab  incepto  processerit," — may  be  justly  said  to 
describe  his  entire  career  ;  and  the  portrait  so  happily 
sketched  in  the  preceding  letter,  needs  only  to  be  ex- 
hibited in  detail,  and  upon  a  large  scale,  to  present  a 
perfect  model  of  the  Christian  missionary. 

The  church  which  Mr.  Chambers  mentions  as  origi- 
nating in  the  pious  zeal  of  Swartz  and  the  liberal  con- 
tributions of  the  English  garrison  at  Trichinopoly,  is  said 
to  be  capable  of  holding  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two 
thousand  persons.  Its  erection  was  considerably  promoted 
by  the  patrorjage  and  assistance  of  Colonel  Wood,  at  that 


100  MEMOIRS   OF 

time  commandant  of  the  fort,  and  deservedly  held  in  high 
estimation  for  his  military  talents.  With  this  distinguished 
officer  he  lived  in  habits  of  intimate  acquaintance,  and 
dined  frequently  at  his  table  ;  when  after  conversing  with 
his  flimily  about  half  an  hour,  with  that  good  sense  and 
cheerfulness  which  were  natural  to  him,  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  retire  to  his  own  apartment.  Both  Colonel  and 
Mrs.  Wood  appear  to  have  derived  essential  benefit  fron) 
his  ministry  ;  and  this  formed  the  foundation  of  that 
Christian  friendship,  of  which  some  interesting  proofs  will 
hereafter  be  afforded. 

Adjoining  the  church,  Svvartz  built  a  mission  house, 
consisting  of  a  hall  and  two  rooms,  with  suitable  offices, 
and  subsequently  an  English  and  a  Tamul  school.  In 
completing  these  useful  and  charitable  works  he  expended 
the  salary  of  100/.  per  annum,  which  the  government  of 
Madras,  without  any  solicitation  on  his  part,  had  granted 
him  as  chaplain  to  the  garrison  ;  after  which  he  expressed 
his  intention,  with  the  approbation  of  the  society  in  whose 
service  he  was  engaged,  to  apply  one  half  of  that  sum  to 
his  own  use,  and  the  other  to  that  of  his  congregation. 

important  as  he  leit  this  station  to  be,  the  pressure  upon 
the  Danish  mission  in  consequence  of  the  loss  of  two  of 
the  elder  brethren,  led  him  to  intimate  to  his  former 
friends  in  Denmark,  his  wish  to  return  to  Tranquebar. 
This  being  communicated  by  the  Royal  Mission  College 
at  Copenhagen  to  the  Society  for  promoting  Christian 
Knowledge,  while  they  strongly  urged  his  continuance 
at  Trichinopoly,  especially  as  professor  Francke  had  just 
informed  them  of  two  other  candidates  for  the  Tranquebar 
mission,  the  determination  of  the  question  was  wisely 
referred  by  the  society  to  the  discretion  of  Mr.  Swartz 
himself,  who,  in  due  time,  happily  announced  his  inten- 
tion of  remaining  as  their  missionary  at  Trichinopoly. 

The  peace  which  had  now  subsisted  for  some  years  in 
the  south  of  the  Peninsula,  was,  in  1707,  disturbed  by 
the  ambitious  designs  of  the  celebrated  Hyder  Ali.  This 
extraordinary  man,  partly  by  his  boldness  and  military 
talents,  and  partly  by  stratagem  and  intrigue,  had  raised 
himself  from  an  obscure  and  private  station,  to  the  sove- 
reignty of  Mysore,  and  was  evidently  aiming  at  a  more 
extensive  dominion.  His  rapid  progress  at  length  alarmed 
the  great  powers  of  Southern  India;   and  an  alliance  was 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  101 

formed  between  the  Mahrattas,  and  Nizam  Ali,  Subahdar 
of  the  Deccan,  at  whose  disposal  the  EngHsh  agreed  to 
place  an  auxiliary  force,  to  check  the  farther  advance  of 
the  Mysorean  chief.  The  contest  was  carried  on  with  the 
fluctuating  policy  and  varying  fortunes  incident  to  Indian 
warfare.  During  the  early  part  of  it,  Swartz's  friend, 
Colonel  Wood,  distinguished  himself  by  successfully  re- 
pelling Hyder  with  a  small  body  of  troops  against  a  very 
superior  force,  at  the  fort  of  Mulwaggle,  though  he  was 
at  a  subsequent  period  unable  to  maintain  his  ground 
against  that  active  and  enterprising  enemy.  In  the  course 
of  the  two  years  during  which  the  war  continued,  many 
opportunities  were  afforded  to  the  pious  missionary  of  ex- 
ercising his  Christian  benevolence  in  attending  the  sick 
and  wounded  from  the  English  camp,  near  Tuichinopoly, 
some  interesting  notices  of  which  occur  in  the  following 
extracts  from  his  journal  for  1768. 

Early  in  that  year  he  left  Trichinopoly,  on  a  visit  to  hia 
brethren  at  Tranquebar,  taking  the  opportunity,  pursuant 
to  his  constant  custom,  of  instructing  and  admonishing 
the  little  congregations  of  Christians,  as  well  as  of  ad- 
dressing the  unconverted  natives,  in  the  different  towns 
and  villages  through  which  he  passed.  Parties  of  the 
latter,  on  a  pilgrimage  to  Parhani,  were  exhorted  to 
forsake  such  vain  and  unprofitable  toils;  to  others,  fol- 
lowing with  apparent  indifference,  in  funeral  processions, 
he  pointed  out  sin  as  the  cause  of  death,  reminded  thera 
of  their  own  mortality,  and  urged  them  to  embrace  the 
true  doctrine  of  life  and  immortality,  through  the  only 
Redeemer. 

At  Ammal-Savadi  he  describes  a  noble  choultry  built 
by  the  queen,  which  comprised  beautiful  upper  apartments, 
with  verandahs,  spacious  gardens,  an  avenue  and  grove, 
cool  during  the  heat  of  noon,  and  a  row  of  houses  nearly 
a  mile  Ion?,  for  the  residence  of  a  hundred  Brahmins, 
who  were  daily  fed  in  this  splendid  establishment,  in  the 
midst  of  which  a  new  pagoda  had  been  erected.  Here  he 
announced  to  the  assembled  multitude,  among  whom  were 
a  number  of  young  Brahmins,  the  majesty  of  the  true 
God,  and  of  the  only  Mediator  between  God  and  men. 
While  expounding  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son,  a 
Brahmin  applied  it  to  himself — "  O,"  said  the  pious  mis- 
sionary, "  that  they  would  arise,  and  go  to  their  Father  ! " 
9  * 


102  MEMOIRS  OF 

Towards  the  evening  of  the  fourth  day  of  his  departure 
from  Trichinopoly,  he  reached  Tranquebar,  and  found  all 
his  brethren  well.  Here  he  remained  ten  days,  which  he 
spent  in  preaciiing  to  the  three  congregations,  German, 
Tamul,  and  Portuguese,  in  paternal  conferences,  and  in 
visiting  various  Christian  brethren. 

On  returning  to  Trichinopoly  he  noticed  near  Kuttalam, 
a  magnificent  banian  tree,  the  girth  of  which  measured 
seventy  paces,  and  the  widely  spreading  branches  of  which 
afforded  a  delicious  shade.  Here  he  visited  the  merchants 
at  their  booths,  and  discoursed  to  them  on  God,  the  su- 
preme Being,  on  the  fall,  the  Redeemer  of  men,  and  the 
way  of  salvation.  They  replied,  "  It  is  so  written,  but 
who  can  live  thus  ?  Who  is  able  thus  to  eradicate  his 
desires  ?  We  have  it  also  on  the  palm  leaves,  but  it  is 
impossible  to  keep  it."  To  this  p!ausil)Ie  and  common 
objection,  even  among  professed  Christians,  Swartz  an- 
swered by  pointing  out  the  source  from  which  strength 
may  be  derived. 

At  Cojnbaconum  where,  he  observes,  there  are  above 
two  hundred  pagodas,  the  people  were  preparing  for  the 
monthly  feast  before  the  great  temple.*  His  spirit  was 
much  moved  on  beholding  their  idolatry,  and  he  earnestly 
appealed  to  them  on  the  sin  and  folly  of  a  superstition  by 
which  they  could  not  but  acknowledge  that  they  were 
neither  enlightened,  strengthened,  nor  comfljrted.  In  this 
place,  he  says,  "  We  talked  ourselves  quite  weary  with 
various  heathen.  When  the  catechist,"  Sajdtinaicken, 
"  read  to  them  our  Lord's  warning  against  '  false  prophets,' 
and  said  something  in  explanation,  a  Brahmin  declared 
before  all  present,  '  It  is  the  lust  of  the  eyes  and  of  pleas- 
ure that  prevents  us  from  embracing  the  truth.'  Many 
bore  testimony  that  this  was  true."  Upon  this  honest,  but 
humiliating  confession,  Swartz  justly  observes,  "  St.  Paul 
enumerates  idolatry  among  '  the  works  of  the  flesh,'  and 
corrupt  nature  does  indeed  derive  support  from  it  in  more 
ways  than  one.  If  it  were  only  an  error  of  the  mider- 
standia^,  the  greater  number  of  heathens  would  already 
have  forsaken  it;  but  being  a  work  o{ the  flesh,  and  Chris- 
tianity requiring  its  crucifi.xion,  they  stop  there.  May 
divine  power  rescue  them  from  it,  through  Jesus  Christ !" 

*  One  of  the  seven  great  pagodas  of  Southern  India. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  103 

At  Ayenpottah,  where  lie  had  many  conversations  with 
Mohammedans  and  heathens,  his  friend  Captain  Berg  met 
and  accompanied  him  to  Tanjore.  Here,  he  says,  '*  my 
chief  occupation  was  with  our  Christians,  though  I  con- 
versed also  with  Roman  Catholics  and  others.  To  the 
protestant  congregations  I  explained  and  ap])lied  the  mer- 
itorious sufferings  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  recorded  in  the  gospel 
of  St.  Mark,  and  the  unspeakable  blessing  which  we  derive 
from  them  ;  stirring  ourselves  up  to  true  repentance,  faith 
in  this  Saviour,  gratitude  and  love.  Never,  O  Lord  Jesus, 
may  it  be  effliced  from  my  mind  how  much  it  cost  thee  to 
redeem  me  1 " 

During  the  month  of  April  Mr.  Swartz  was  much  occu- 
pied in  visiting  the  sick  and  wounded,  who  were  sent  from 
the  English  camp  to  Trichinopoly.  "  Here,"  he  observes, 
"  1  often  found  blessed  traces  of  awakening  grace.  A 
soldier  said  that  he  had  been  such  thirty-two  years.  I 
asked  him,  how  long  he  had  served  Christ  1  He  wept, 
and  replied,  'Alas!  I  have  not  yet  entered  his  service.'  " 

"  An  officer,"  he  writes  in  his  journal,  "  who  had  pre- 
viously discovered  a  great  inclination  to  religion,  and  had 
entreated  nie  to  instruct  him  catechctically,  just  as  I  would 
an  ignorant  heathen,  in  which  we  had  made  a  beginninpr, 
but  v.'ere  interrupted  by  the  war,  was  brought  in  mortally 
wounded.  He  expressed  a  great  desire  for  instruction.  I 
accordingly  visited  him  daily,  and  explained  to  him  the 
chief  points  in  practical  Christianity.  After  a  few  days 
he  appeared  to  be  something  better.  He  could  occa- 
sionally take  the  ft'esh  air,  and  his  appetite  returned. 
Under  these  circumstances,  he  gradually  yielded  to  in- 
difference as  to  religion.  He  listened,  indeed,  but  not 
with  real  earnestness.  At  length,  I  said  to  him,  '  I  see 
you  are  quite  indifferent.  I  fear  you  are  deceiving  your- 
self Your  wound  is  as  mortal  now  as  it  was  fourteen 
days  ago.  When  you  perceive  that  you  aie  drawing  near 
to  your  end,  you  will  be  terrified  to  think  that  you  have 
been  so  foolish  as  to  allow  worldly  men  to  draw  you  off 
from  the  chief  concern.'  He  replied,  '  It  is  true  ;  they 
have  flattered  me  with  the  hope  that  I  should  recover;  but 
it  is  not  so.  I  know  that  my  wound  is  mortal.'  After 
this,  he  became  more  earnest  in  prayer  and  meditation  on 
the  word  of  God.  Before  his  death,  I  visited  him,  prayed 
with  him,  and  exhorted  him  to  commit  himself  in  faith 


KM  MEMOIRS   OF 

into  the  hands  of  his  merciful  Saviour.  Speaking  was 
painful  to  him ;  yet  he  said,  he  hoped  to  obtain  mercy ; 
and  tlius  he  departed,  amid  the  exhortations  and  prayers 
of  those  around  him." 

How  anxious  this  excellent  missionary  was  to  cherish 
in  himself  and  his  brethren  the  principles  by  which  alone 
they  could  be  animated  in  their  self-denying  labors,  will 
appear  from  the  following  brief  notice  in  his  journal. 

"  August  2.  After  finishing  the  catechising  of  the 
children  in  the  forenoon,  the  two  catechists  returned,  and 
related  to  me  with  whom  they  had  conversed,  and  what 
had  been  the  purport  of  their  conversations  ;  and  how  a 
young  man  had  avowed  his  willingness  to  embrace  the 
Gospel.  We  then  began,  for  our  own  edification,  to  med- 
itate on  the  first  Epistle  of  Paul  to  Timothy.  On  occasion 
of  the  apostolic  wish,  '  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace,'  we 
called  to  mind,  that  a  teacher  stands  in  the  highest  need 
daily  and  hourly  of  this  threefold  fruit  of  Christ's  recon- 
ciliation ;  and  that  the  believing  apprehension  of  this 
precious  grace  is  best  calculated  to  strengthen  him,  to 
render  him  joyful  and  courageous  in  urging  upon  others 
salvation  through  Christ,  as  well  as  in  cheerfully  suffering 
for  his  sake." 

On  the  7th  of  August  he  notices  the  following  instruc- 
tive incidents.  "  The  nabob's  second  son,  who  is  a 
genuine  disciple  of  Mohammed,  that  is,  inclined  to  cru- 
elty, watches  narrowly  the  lives  of  Europeans  ;  and  if 
he  remarks  any  thing  wrong,  he  generally  gives  it  a  ma- 
licious construction,  as  if  the  Mohammedan  doctrine  ren- 
dered people  better  than  the  Christian.  This  young  man, 
observing  some  Europeans,  entered  into  conversation  with 
them.  I  was  the  interpreter.  '  It  seems  remarkable,' 
said  he,  '  to  me,  that  Christians  are  so  inclined  to  card 
playing,  danciug,  and  similar  amusements,  which  are 
contrary  to  the  true  law.'  One  of  them  answered,  '  We 
think  it  no  sin,  but  an  innocent  pastime.'  'Indeed,'  said 
he,  '  it  is  singular  that  you  do  not  consider  it  sin,  to  spend 
your  time  in  such  amusements,  when  even  the  heathen 
themselves  declare  it  to  be  sinful.  It  is  certainly  wrong 
to  pursue  such  things,  though  you  are  of  opinion  that  there 
is  nothing  sinful  in  them.  You,'  he  continued,  addressing 
one  of  the  party,  '  are  a  cashier ;  if  you  do  not  know  the 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  105 

value  of  money,  you  inqtiire  and  inform  yourself  on  the 
subject;  why,  then,  do  you  not  examine  uno  these  things? 
— the  omitting  such  examination  is  a  sin  also.  Nay, 
if  you  do  not  know  whether  it  be  right  or  wrong,  and  yet 
continue  to  play,  that  is  still  a  greater  sin.  I  am  sure 
Padre  Swartz  would  tell  you  at  once  that  it  is  sinful,  if 
you  would  but  receive  it.'  The  cashier  replied,  '  It  is 
better  to  play  a  little,  than  to  absorb  all  one's  thoughts  on 
money.'  But  the  young  nabob  answered  him  very  dis- 
creetly on  this  point,  that  we  are  not  to  justify  one  sm  by 
another. 

"  So  artful  is  he,  that  he  will  accost  and  converse  with 
an  European  during  divine  service,  and  afterwards  observe, 
'Ifthemanhad  the  least  reverence  for  the  worship  of 
God,  he  would  not  have  allowed  himself  to  be  interrupted.' 

"On  the  loth  of  this  month,"  continues  Mr.  Swartz, 
"  in  the  morning  I  had  a  conversation  with  him.  He  first 
asked,  how  God  was  to  be  served,  and  how  we  should 
pray  to  him ;  and  censured  us  for  not  washing  our  hands, 
and  taking  off  our  shoes,  before  prayer.  I  answered,  that 
this  was  merely  a  bodily,  outward  act,  which  was  of  no 
value  in  the  sight  of  God — that  his  word  requires  pure 
hearts,  which  abhor  all  and  every  sin,  and  approach  him 
in  humility  and  faith — we  could  then  be  assured  that  our 
prayer  was  acceptable  to  him.  One  of  those  present 
asked,  '  From  what  must  the  heart  be  cleansed  ? '  I 
replied,  '  From  self-love,  from  fleshly  and  worldly  lusts  ; 
which  constitute,  according  to  the  first  commandment, 
the  real  inward  nature  of  idolatry.'  The  nabob's  son 
said,  '  This  inward  cleansing  is  very  good  ;  but  the  out- 
ward is  also  necessary,  and  God  is  pleased  with  it,  even 
though  the  inward  cleansing  be  not  perfect.'  I  replied, 
*  Not  so.  You  should  rather  say,  that  God  has  pleasure 
in  inward  purity,  though  the  hands  be  not  washed  imme- 
diately before  prayer.' " 

At  the  close  of  another  conversation  about  this  time, 
with  some  of  the  poor  heathen  natives,  in  which  he  had 
been  endeavoring  to  convince  them  of  the  sin  and  folly 
of  their  idolatry,  and  to  persuade  them  to  embrace  the 
blessed  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  he  thus  expresses  the  gen- 
uine kindness  of  his  heart,  and  affords  a  beautiful  example 
of  the  tender  earnestness  with  which  the  missionary  should 
address  them.     "  At  length  I  said,  as  I  often  do  to  them, 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 

'  Do  not  suppose  that  I  reprove  you  out  of  scorn  ;  no,  you 
are  my  brethren  ;  we  are  by  creation  the  children  of  one 
common  Father.  It  grieves  us  Christians,  that  you  have 
forsaken  that  ahnighty  gracious  Father,  and  have  turned 
to  idols  who  cannot  profit  you.  You  know,  because  you 
have  often  heard,  that  a  day  of  judgment  is  before  us, 
when  we  must  render  up  an  account.  Should  you  persist 
in  remaining  enemies  to  God,  and  on  that  day  hear  with 
dismay  the  sentence  of  condemnation,  I  fear  you  will 
accuse  us  Christians  of  not  warning  you  with  sufficient 
earnestness  and  fervor.  Suffer  yourselves,  then,  to  be 
persuaded,  since  you  see  that  we  want  nothing  of  you, 
but  that  you  turn  with  us  to  God,  and  be  happy.'  They 
all  declared  that  they  were  convinced  of  our  sincere  inten- 
tions, and  that  they  would  speak  further  with  us." 

In  October,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Francke,  after  expressing 
his  anxious  wish  for  a  second  missionary,  for  the  purpose 
of  more  extensive  usefulness,  he  writes  as  follows. 

*'  Though  I  should  much  prefer  being  at  Tranquebar, 
for  the  enjoyment  of  the  communion  of  faithful  brethren, 
yet,  when  1  look  on  our  congregations,  I  feel  that  my 
presence  is  more  necessary  here.  The  catechists  require 
daily  superintendence  and  admonition  to  prevent  them 
from  relapsing  into  indolence  and  disorder.  The  heathen, 
too,  though  courteous  to  Europeans,  are  apt  to  behave  un- 
kindly to  the  poor  catechists ;  so  that  they  need  counte- 
nance and  encouragement.  Whh  regard  to  myself,  I 
praise  God,  who  has  borne  with  my  weakness,  and  pros- 
pered my  labors.  During  the  whole  of  this  year  my  health 
has  been  good  ;  so  that  my  work  has  been  easier  to  me 
than  at  any  former  period.  Many  heathens  and  Catholics 
have  been  this  year  instructed,  and  received  into  the  con- 
gregation. Affliction,  both  from  without  and  from  within, 
has  not  failed  us;  but  God  has  been  our  helper."  He  then 
mentions  that  many  Europeans,  not  only  among  the  sol- 
diers of  the  garrison,  but  of  the  higher  ranks,  had  been 
powerfully  awakened  to  a  sense  of  religion.  Among  others, 
he  notices  particularly  one  young  man,  who  had  made  a 
temporary  visit  to  Trichinopoly,  and  who,  though  virtuous 
and  well  disposed,  knew  but  little  of  Christ,  and  of  the 
real  value  of  the  gospel.  "  He  visited  me  several  even- 
ings," says   Svvartz,   "  and    acknowledged    that   he    was 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  107 

stirred  up  to  greater  concern  for  his  salvation.  I  testi- 
fied my  joy,  but  observed  that  he  was  at  present  trusting 
to  the  sandy  foundation  of  his  own  righteousness,  from 
which  he  could  derive  neither  rest  nor  power,  lie  re- 
ceived all  that  I  said  in  good  part,  and  began  to  read  his 
New  Testament  better ;  that  is,  with  prayer.  Soon  after- 
wards, he  was  invited  to  a  gay  party,  but  declined  it, 
which  had  a  good  effect  on  others.  He  soon  learned  how 
the  Gospel  becomes  saving,  and  communicates  to  man 
more  power  unto  salvation  than  any  considerations  de- 
rived merely  from  the  law.  He  went  boldly  forth  ;  and, 
when  many  were  displeased  that  a  young  man  should 
speak  so  freely,  he  gladly  bore  the  cross  :  and  his  exam- 
ple has  been  made  a  blessing  to  others."  He  concludes 
as  follows. 

"  In  my  previous  letters,  I  mentioned  a  Mohammedan, 
who  had  formerly  been  employed  in  the  highest  offices. 
This  man  understands  Persian  most  thoroughly,  and 
speaks  it  excellently.  He  often  visited  me  of  an  even- 
ing, and  gave  me  a  complete  idea  of  the  Mohammedan 
doctrines  and  discipline,  and  read  to  me  the  rarest  books 
he  possessed.  I  thus  learned  to  express  myself  in  Persian, 
and  to  explain  the  doctrines  of  Christianity.  Some  months 
ago,  this  poor  man  was  put  under  arrest,  and  confined  to 
his  own  house,  where  he  still  remains.  The  nabob's  son, 
a  bigoted  Mohammedan,  says  that  he  had  otTeuded  his 
father,  and  on  that  account  he  was  imprisoned.  Every 
one,  however,  believes  that  it  was  in  consequence  of  his 
having  visited  Die,  and  expressed  himself  in  terms  too 
favorable  to  Christianity.  God  graciously  help  us  for 
Christ's  sake,  and  tread  down  Satan  under  our  feet ! 
The  good  Lord  inwardly  strengthen  you,  and  by  the 
comfort  flowing  from  the  inestimable  mercy  of  recon- 
ciliation, animate  you  ;  and  may  your  old  age  be  truly 
blessed  ! " 

In  a  letter,  dated  in  the  same  month  of  October,  176S, 
addressed  to  the  secretary  of  the  Society  for  promoting 
Christian  Knowledge,  Mr.  Swartz,  after  thanking  him  for 
the  present  of  a  Persian  lexicon,  gives  a  similar  account 
of  the  old  Mohammedan  governor,  just  mentioned,  as  his 
instructor  in  that  language,  and  takes  occasion,  from  the 
circumstance  of  his  arbitrary  imprisonment,  to  notice  the 


108  MEMOIRS  OF 

frequency  of  such  occurrences,  both  at  Trichinopoly  and 
at  Tanjore.  He  then  proceeds  to  give  a  detailed  account 
of  the  government  of  the  latter  country,  of  the  wretched 
state  of  oppression  and  ignorance  in  which  the  great  body 
of  the  people  were  then  held,  and  of  the  numbers,  wealth, 
and  influence  of  the  Brahmins. 

"  The  king  of  Tanjore,"  he  observes,  "  is,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  the  ignorant,  a  prince  who  governs  according 
to  his  despotic  will  ;  but  he  is,  in  fact,  more  a  slave  than 
a  king.  He  seldom  goes  out;  and  often,  when  he  pur- 
poses to  do  so,  the  brahmins  tell  him  that  it  is  not  an 
auspicious  day.  This  is  sufficient  to  confine  him  to  the 
house.  His  children  are  brought  up  in  ignorance, — for 
why  should  a  prince  learn  much  ?  He  need  not  be 
acquainted  with  writing  and  accounts, — for  has  he  not 
servants  enough  for  this  ?  The  number  of  his  wives 
destroys  all  domestic  peace.  The  first  whom  he  espouses 
is  denominated  his  lawful  wife.  By  degrees,  however, 
as  he  takes  more,  jealousy  among  them  lecomes  a  source 
of  dangerous  disquiet,  and  the  love  which  should  subsist 
between  brethren  is  banished.  So  true  it  is,  that  when 
man  departs  from  the  ordinances  of  God,  he  treads  in  a 
thorny  path. 

"  A  despotic  ruler,  being  intent  only  on  increasing  or 
preserving  his  power,  entertains  a  distrust  of  all  his  min- 
isters. He  considers  it  expedient,  therefore,  often  to 
humble  them.  Though  a  minister  possess  his  favor  for 
years,  he  sometimes  falls  at  once.  The  king  permits  his 
house  to  be  plundered,  (this  has  often  happened  within  my 
remembrance,)  and  lays  him  under  a  domiciliary  arrest. 
No  one  must  visit  him,  or  speak  to  him.  By  degrees, 
this  severity  is  relaxed.  The  e.K-minister,  thus  fallen  into 
disgrace,  hunts  after  the  failures  of  his  successor,  and 
endeavors  to  involve  him  in  the  same  ruin,  and  frequently 
is  restored  to  favor. 

"  The  troops  belonging  to  the  rajah  of  Tanjore  are 
chiefly  cavalry, — about  six  thousand, — and  two  thousand 
foot.  The  cavalry  are  not  furnished  witii  horses,  but 
each  soldier  provides  his  own.  He  who  can  collect  a 
hundred  horse,  is  appointed  their  captain.  To  these 
troops,  a  district  is  assigned,  where  they  receive  their  pay 
from  the  tenants.  If  they  do  not  give  what  they  demand, 
they  resort  to  force. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  109 

"  The  Tanjore  country  is,  however,  as  a  well-watered 
garden.  Notwithstanding  all  the  oppression  and  injustice, 
the  inhabitants  subsist  tolerably  well :  it  teems  with  people. 
The  land  is  divided  into  districts,  and  every  district  is 
leased.  The  lessee  is  obliged  to  advance  at  least  the 
half  of  his  rent ;  and  as  he  cannot  in  general  do  this 
from  his  own  resources,  he  borrows  of  the  native  mer- 
chants or  Europeans,  and  gives  forty,  or  even  more,  per 
cent.  He  borrows  also  what  he  requires  for  the  support 
of  his  family  ;  and  all  must  be  eventually  extorted  from 
the  poor  inhabitants.  It  may  with  truth  be  averred,  that 
the  poorer  people  enrich  with  their  labor  the  idle  and  the 
proud.  A  cultivator  of  land  in  Tanjore,  commonly  gives 
sixty  or  seventy  in  the  hundred.  Supposing  that  he  has 
on  his  ground  a  hundred  bushels  of  rice,  the  king  (or  the 
lessee  in  his  name)  takes  seventy  ;  the  remaining  thirty 
are  retained  by  the  inhabitant ;  and  with  this  he  has  to 
pay  his  servants  and  support  his  family.  Nay,  if  the  king 
needs  money,  as  in  time  of  war,  he  seizes  upon  all. 
I  have  myself  witnessed  the  poor  laborers  contemplating 
at  a  distance  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the  fields,  while 
the  king's  people  have  reaped  it  all.  Thus,  the  oppression 
being  so  great,  they  endeavor,  by  every  possible  means, 
to  defraud  the  king.  They  are  accustomed  to  say,  *  With- 
out stealing,  we  cannot  live.'  Hence  it  may  easily  be 
conceived  what  disposition  to  the  maintenance  of  justice 
prevails  in  this  country. 

"Under  a  frame  of  government  so  wretched,  the  educa- 
tion of  the  young  is  miserably  neglected.  Few  children 
learn  to  read,  write,  and  cast  accounts  ;  and  these  are 
almost  exclusively  boys.  It  is  a  most  rare  occurrence 
for  a  father  to  afford  his  daughter  the  means  of  education. 
When  taught  to  read,  it  is  from  books  in  which  the  fabled 
epiphanies  of  their  gods,  together  with  all  their  licentious 
acts,  are  delineated.  We  cannot,  they  think,  be  better 
than  our  gods;  they  every  where  practised  lying,  impunity, 
injustice,  and  revenge  ;  these  cannot,  therefore,  be  sinful. 
Thus  is  the  little  which  they  know  from  reflecting  on  the 
works  of  creation,  greatly  obscured.  In  the  temples  of 
their  deities,  their  most  flagrant  actions  are  described  in 
images  and  pictures,  which  sink  the  people  in  the  depths 
of  vice  and  misery.  The  consequences  of  this  devilish 
10 


110  MEMOIRS   OF 

instruction  are  clearly  visible.     Both   body  and  soul  are 
destroyed.     Thousands  sensibly  feel  their  errors. 

"The  children  of  the  brahmins  are  commonly  better 
educated.  Besides  the  thousands  attached  to  the  idol 
temples,  many  of  them  farm  the  land,  hold  offices  under 
the  king,  and  act  as  clerks,  overseers,  and  accountants. 
The  offspring  of  the  brahmins  are  in  general  clever,  and 
learn  languages  quickly,  especially  when  they  hope  to 
turn  it  to  advantage.  Alany  English  gentlemen  engage 
brahmins  to  keep  tlieir  books ;  and  hence  a  great  number 
acquire  the  Euglish.  Besides  this,  they  learn  the  Persian, 
and  are  employed  by  the  nabob  and  others  as  interpreters. 
In  every  lucrative  situation  we  find  a  brahmin.  It  is 
remarkable,  that  within  the  narrow  limits  of  Tanjore,  a 
hundred  thousand  vigorous  young  brahmins  might,  with 
very  little  trouble,  be  collected.  With  the  exception  of 
their  daily  ceremonies  and  ablutions,  they  do  nothing  : 
living  in  voluptuousness  and  corrupting  sloth.  They 
possess  the  best  land,  and  give  away  little  or  nothing ; 
besides  which,  the  numerous  pagan  festivals  are  eminently 
profitable  to  them.  I  asked  a  wealthy  brahmin  whether 
they  imparted  to  the  poor  a  portion  of  their  great  revenues. 
He  replied,  '  No:  the  people  give  to  us  and  the  pagodas; 
but  ive  contribute  nothing.'  What  is  asserted,  therefore, 
in  one  of  Mr.  Holwell's  books,  as  to  the  beneficence  of 
the  brahmins,  is  not  to  be  credited.  Some  months  ago, 
a  brahmin  declared  to  me  plainly,  '  The  reasons  why  we 
do  not  embrace  the  Christian  doctrine,  are  avarice,  pride, 
and  voluptuousness.' 

"  Meanwhile,"  adds  this  excellent  man,  with  something 
of  prophetic  hope  as  to  the  future  progress  of  Christianity, 
"we  faint  not;  we  know  that  Christ  is  ordained  as  a  light 
to  the  Gentiles.  He  is  able  to  dispel  this  heathen  dark- 
ness. Confiding  in  his  divine  assistance,  we  go  forth 
diligently  among  the  natives  to  make  known  to  them  the 
way  of  life,  and  affectionately  to  invite  them  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  salvation  purchased  for  them  by  the  Re- 
deemer. The  progress  of  conversion  is  not  so  great  as 
we  wish;  still  the  rescuing  of  one  single  soul,  (not  to 
mention  many,)  is  sufficient  to  encourage  us  not  to  be 
weary.  Who  knows  to  what  important  end  the  all-wise 
God  may  direct  the  revolutions  which  have  taken  place  in 
India  during  the  last  twenty  years?     O  that  the  Euro- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  Ill 

peans  in  this  country  would  discern  the  glory  of  God  ! 
Should  he  graciously  work  a  thorough  change  and  refor- 
mation among  the  principal  Europeans,  a  blessing  would 
spread  through  the  whole  land.  Many  salutary  regula- 
tions might  be  introduced.  Multitudes  of  abominations 
might  be  prevented,  and  thus  the  obstacles  which  have 
hitherto  deterred  the  natives  from  embracing  the  Gospel 
might  be  lessened.  There  are  several  Englishmen  here, 
who,  through  the  converting  grace  of  God,  have  been 
convinced  that  the  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  his 
loving-kindness  are  better  than  life,  and  consequently 
better  than  ill-gotten  wealth." 

Mr.  Swartz  thus  refers,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  London, 
of  the  same  date  as  the  preceding,  to  the  painful  topic  no- 
ticed in  the  concluding  sentence  ;  and  it  is  introduced 
chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  contrasting  that  representation 
with  the  marked  improvement  in  European  character  which 
has  of  late  years  been  universally  acknowledged. 

"  It  is  extremely  difficult,"  he  observes,  "  when  describ- 
ing our  situation  here,  to  give  any  one  a  just  conception  of 
it  without  adverting  to  the  profligacy  of  the  Europeans. 
The  great  among  them  aim  at  nothing  but  to  live  in  plea- 
sure, and  to  become  rich.  If  not  readily  successful  in  the 
latter  object,  they  resort  to  unjust  means,  the  employment 
of  which  hardens  the  mind  to  so  alarming  a  degree,  that 
they  will  hear  nothing  of  the  word  of  God,  and  too  fre- 
quently plunge  into  the  most  frightful  infidelity." 

After  giving  an  account  of  himself  and  his  labors  during 
the  year,  similar  to  that  contained  in  the  extract  from  his 
letter  to  professor  Francke,  he  adds,  "  O  may  the  faithful 
God  grant  to  me,  a  feeble  creature,  his  powerful  grace 
more  and  more,  that  I  may  spend  my  days  to  his  glory, 
and  the  benefit  of  my  neighbor.  O  that  I  had  a  dear  bro- 
ther with  me,  then  could  many  be  better  instructed  !  In 
the  mean  time,  God  knows  our  affliction,  and  our  sighs  are 
not  hidden  from  him.  May  he  compassionate  the  poor 
heathen,  and  may  his  kingdom  break  forth  here  gra- 
ciously !  " 

Mr.  Swartz  closes  his  journal  for  1768  as  follows  : 
'*  The  conclusion  of  the  year  has  been  very  melancholy 
with  respect  to  political  events.     All   the   territory  which 
the  English  had  taken  from  Hyder-Naick,  they  have  again 


lia  MEMOIRS  OF 

lost.  He  approached  near  to  Trichinopoly,  and  would 
probably  have  taken  it,  had  not  a  rain  of  three  days'  con- 
tinuance driven  him  off. 

"  God  be  gracious  to  us,  and  further  his  work  !  May 
he  cause  his  countenance  to  shine  upon  us,  that  the  hea- 
then may  know  his  ways,  believe  in  him,  and  adore  him  as 
his  children  in  Christ  Jesus  1 " 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  113 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Continuation  of  hostilities — Zeal  and  disinterestedness  of  Swartz — 
His  conference  with  a  Romish  Padre — Peace  between  Hjder  Ali 
and  the  English— Swartz  proceeds  to  Tanjore — His  introduction 
to  the  Rajali — His  character — Conversation  at  this  interview — 
Swartz  returns  to  Trichinopoly — His  second  visit  to  the  Rajah 
with  Colonel  Wood — Preaches  to  the  natives  on  the  glacis,  and 
in  the  Fort — The  Rajah  wishes  to  converse  with  him,  but  is  pre- 
vented by  his  Ministers — Swartz's  message  to  the  King,  and  his 
reply — He  returns  to  Trichinopoly — Mr.  Chambers  leaves  that 
city — First  letters  of  Swartz  to  that  gentleman — Conversations 
with  the  natives,  and  with  the  Nabob's  son — Attendance  on  sick 
Europeans — Letter  from  Mr.  Chambers  to  his  brother  on  a  trans- 
lation of  the  New  Testament  into  Persian — Conversation  with  a 
sick  soldier,  and  with  natives,  heathen  and  Mohammedan — Re- 
flections of  Swartz  at  the  close  of  the  year  1769. 

Hostilities  still  continued  during  the  first  three  months 
of  the  succeeding  year;  in  the  midst  of  which,  Mr.  Swartz 
visited  a  detachment  of  the  English  army  near  Trich- 
inopoly, and  preached  to  the  troops  both  in  English  and 
German.  No  sooner  had  the  enemy  withdrawn  from  the 
surrounding  villages,  involved  by  their  devastations  in  ruin, 
than  his  zeal  and  charity  prompted  him  to  repair  to  them 
to  instruct  and  comfort  the  distressed  inhabitants ;  while 
he  declined  accepting  a  legacy  bequeathed  to  him  by  an 
ofiicer  to  whom  he  had  been  eminently  useful  in  religion, 
lest  he  should  be  suspected  of  interested  motives. 

Early  in  February  he  had  a  long  and  friendly  discussion 
with  a  Romish  Padre  at  the  request  of  an  officer's  lady  at 
Trichinopoly,  who  professed  the  Roman  Catholic  religion, 
but  who  had  also  received  instruction  from  Swartz,  and 
was  desirous  of  hearing  what  each  had  to  say  in  support 
10* 


114  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  the  differences  between  ihe  two  churches.  To  the 
usual  question,  where  Protestantism  was  before  the  days  of 
Luther  and  Henry  Vlll.,  Swartz  justly  replied,  by  referring 
to  the  testimony  which  had  been  uniformly  borne  against 
the  papal  perversions  of  divine  truth  by  the  Albigenses, 
John  Huss,  and  the  Bohemian  brethren,  and  the  followers 
of  Wickliffe  ;  he  might  have  added,  by  the  Syrian  Chris- 
tians in  the  mountains  of  Travancore.  He  then  appealed 
to  the  word  of  God ;  affirming  that  while  Protestants 
readily  receive  the  testimony  of  antiquity,  their  faith  in 
the  divine  authority  of  the  sacred  canon,  independent 
of  its  internal  evidences,  does  not  rest  exclusively  on  that 
of  the  Romish  Church,  the  word  of  God  having  been  pos- 
sessed by  thousands  before  that  church,  properly  so  called, 
existed. 

The  sophistry  of  the  Papist  in  defending  the  worship  of 
saints  and  images,  was  ably  exposed  by  the  pious  Lutheran. 
"If  you  prostrate  yourself  before  an  image,  complain  to  it 
of  your  affliction,  and  desire  help,  do  you  not  honor  it 
after  an  idolatrous  manner  ?  God  says  in  the  second 
commandment,  '  Thou  shalt  not  make  any  graven  image 
— thou  shalt  not  bow  down  to  it  nor  worship  it.'  The 
Papist  says,  '  thou  shalt.'  See  how  Popery  opposes  itself 
to  God."  "  The  Papist,"  said  the  Padre,  "  is  the  follower 
of  Peter."  "  I  heartily  wish,"  replied  Swartz,  "  that  it 
were  so.  Follow  Peter,  and  we  from  our  hearts  will  re- 
joice. Peter  was  humble,  and  desired  no  worship,  when 
he  was  in  the  house  of  Cornelius.*  Your  new  Roman 
Peter  will  be  worshipped.  Examine  into  it  again,  my 
worthy  Padre,  and  follow  after  God  and  his  word."  From 
this  point  the  conversation  proceeded  to  what  Swartz  calls 
the  idolatry  of  the  mass,  and  the  refusal  of  the  sacramental 
cup  to  the  laity,  which  were  but  feebly  defended  by  the 
Romish  Padre  ;  to  whom  in  conclusion,  he  addressed  this 
brief  but  solemn  warning.  "  My  dear  Padre,  prove  all 
things  by  the  word  of  God.  You  and  I  shall  soon  appear 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  where  we  shall  have 
to  render  an  account  of  our  ministry  and  doctrine,  and 
the  souls  which  we  have  neglected."  One  of  his  people 
called  him  away  several  times.  "  He  departed,"  says 
Swartz,  "  wishing  that  I  might  become  a  saint,  and  I 

*  Acts  X.  25,  26. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  115 

wished  him  sincerity  of  heart.  The  captain's  lady  was 
struck  with  his  rejection  of  our  Bible,  while  he  refused  to 
produce  his  own.  May  God  help  her  to  a  clear  and  saving 
knowledge  of  Christ !  " 

At  the  beginning  af  March  he  attempted  a  journey  to 
Tanjore  ;  but  he  had  not  proceeded  far,  before  the  enemy's 
army  approached  Trichinopoly,  and  burnt  great  part  of 
Ureiur.  Messengers  were  in  consequence  despatched  to 
him  and  his  companions,  apprising  them  of  their  danger. 
*'  I  turned  back,"  he  says,  "  and  beheld  Ureiur  in  flames. 
God  be  praised  for  his  gracious  protection  ! "  The  ravages 
of  war,  however,  having  happily  terminated  in  April,  by 
a  treaty  of  peace  between  Hyder  Ali  and  the  Madras 
government,  Swartz  resumed  his  intended  journey,  and 
arrived  at  Tanjore  on  the  '20th  of  that  month.  Here  he 
preached  daily  two  or  three  times,  visited  the  members  of 
the  three  congregations  individually,  and  attended  the 
schools. 

The  most  important  result  of  tiiis  visit  to  Tanjore  was 
his  introduction  to  the  rajah  Tuljajee,  or,  as  he  was  at 
that  period  usually  called,  the  king;  and  the  favorable  im- 
pression made  upon  his  mind,  which  led  to  the  kindness 
and  confidence  with  which  that  prince  ever  afterwards 
distinguished  him.  The  rajah  Tuljajee  was  at  this  period 
in  the  prime  of  life,  of  good  natural  talents,  and  of  mild 
and  dignified  manners  ;  indolent  and  self-indulgent,  like 
the  generality  of  Hindoo  princes,  but  not  at  that  time 
tyrannical  or  oppressive  ;  and  though  too  much  under  the 
influence  of  the  brahmins,  tolerant  and  liberal  in  his  views 
of  religion.  He  is  said  to  have  fortned  an  exception  to 
the  general  ignorance  of  men  of  his  rank  in  India,  and  to 
have  successfully  cultivated  Sanscrit  literature,  so  as  even 
to  have  produced  some  poetical  compositions  in  that  lan- 
guage, which  are  still  recited  at  Tanjore  as  proofs  of  his 
genius  and  learning.  Such  was  the  Hindoo  prince  with 
whose  history  that  of  Swartz  is  henceforth  so  intimately 
interwoven. 

"  At  five  in  the  afternoon  of  the  30th  of  April,"  says 
the  excellent  missionary  in  his  journal  for  1769,  "  I  was 
introduced  to  the  king.  He  was  seated  on  a  couch  sus- 
pended from  pillars,  surrounded  by  his  principal  officers, 
and  opposite  to  him  a  seat  was  placed  for  me."  The  con- 
versation began  by  the  Persian  interpreter  informing  him 


116  MEMOIRS  OF 

that  the  king  had  heard  a  good  report  of  him,  to  which 
Swartz  replied  in  Persian,  expressing  his  thanks  for  the 
kindness  which  he  entertained  for  him,  and  wishing  that 
God  might  enrich  him  abundantly  with  every  blessing. 
The  interpreter  omitting  to  repeat  the  wish,  one  who  sat 
by  told  him,  "  He  wishes  you  a  blessing."  '*  He  is  a 
priest,"  replied  the  king.  Perceiving  by  the  manner  in 
which  he  made  this  observation,  that  he  was  but  imper- 
fectly acquainted  with  the  Persian  language,  he  requested 
permission  to  speak  in  Tamul,  at  which  the  rajah  ap- 
peared pleased. 

He  first  inquired  how  it  happened  that  some  European 
Christians  worshipped  God  with  images,  and  others  with- 
out them  ;  to  which  Swartz  answered,  that  the  worship  of 
images  was  expressly  forbidden  by  the  word  of  God,  and 
that  this  corrupt  practice  originated  in  the  neglect  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  which  had  in  consequence  been  removed 
by  such  Christians  from   general   use   among   the  people. 
The  rajah  next  inquired   how   man  could   attain    to  the 
knowledge  of  God.     In  reply  to   this  question,  the  mis- 
sionary pointed   out,  in   his   usual   manner,  the   works  of 
creation,  and  the  bounties  of  divine  Providence,  as  testi- 
fying the  power,  wisdom,  and  goodness  of  God,  and  his 
word  as  clearly  revealing  whatever  is  essential  to  salvation. 
"  If  it  please  the  king,"  said  he,  *'  I  will   set   before   him 
briefly  the  principal   subjects  of  that  word."    The  rajah 
having  signified  his  assent,  Swartz  proceeded  to  explain 
the  nature  and  divine  attributes  of  God,  one  of  the  attend- 
ants repeating   his   explanation   of   each  point   very  dis- 
tinctly, slowly,  and  audibly.    He  then  remonstrated  against 
the  worship  of  idols,  as  inconsistent   with  the  perfections 
and  glory  of  God,  observing,  that  before  their  conversion 
from  heathenism,  the  European  nations  also  made  images, 
and  adored  the  work  of  their  own  hands  with  salams  and 
salams.     The  king  laughed,  for  the  expression  struck  him 
forcibly,  and   said,  "  He  speaks  plain."    The  pious   mis- 
sionary next  shortly  urged  the  corruption  into  which  man- 
kind   had    fallen,    which    is    visible    from    universal    and 
melancholy  experience  ;    and   then  unfolded   the   method 
of  deliverance   through  the  Mediator   and  Saviour  whom 
God  has  graciously  provided,  and  his  indescribable  willing- 
ness to  receive  those  who  turn  to   him — illustrating  this 
encouraging  assurance   by  his   favorite    and  appropriate 
parable  of  the  prodigal  son. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  117 

Upon  the  usual  introduction  of  sweetmeats,  of  which 
Swartz  took  a  little,  he  said,  "  We  Christians  are  in  the 
habit,  before  we  partake  of  food,  of  praising  God  for  his 
goodness,  as  well  as  of  imploring  grace  to  use  the  gift  to 
his  glory  ; "  and  on  being  desired  to  offer  up  such  a  prayer, 
he  immediately  complied.  With  the  simplicity  and  free- 
dom from  the  apprehension  of  ridicule  which  peculiarly 
characterized  him,  he  then,  at  the  request  of  the  king, 
who  had  been  informed  that  Christians  were  accustomed 
to  sing  in  celebrating  divine  worship,  sang  some  verses  of 
the  Lutheran  hymn  in  the  Tamul  translation  of  Mr.  Fab- 
ricius,  beginning, 

"  My  God,  to  thee  this  heart  I  bring." 

The  rajah  declared  himself  much  pleased,  apologizing 
that  he  had  detained  him  so  long,  and  desiring  him  to 
dine  with  Captain  Berg,  who  was  his  constant  friend  and 
companion,  in  the  palace.  "  I  withdrew,"  he  adds,  "  re- 
peating my  wishes  for  his  happiness." 

Mr.  Swartz  remained  at  Tanjore  about  three  weeks 
during  this  visit,  and  then  returned  to  Trichinopoly.  A 
few  days  afterwards  the  rajah  having  inquired  for  him, 
and  being  told  that  he  had  left  Tanjore,  said,  "I  thought 
he  would  have  stayed  with  us;"  and  on  being  reminded 
that  he  had  not  desired  him  to  remain,  he  replied,  "  It  is 
my  most  earnest  wish  that  he  would  continue  here." 
Captain  Berg  having  informed  him  of  this  favorable  dis- 
position of  the  rajah,  Mr.  Swartz  consulted  his  brethren 
at  Tranquebar,  Cuddalore  and  Madras,  as  to  the  best 
mode  of  proceeding,  who  unanimously  advised  him  to 
return  to  Tanjore  without  delay,  in  order  to  ascertain 
what  the  rajah's  views  really  were.  Accordingly,  in  the 
month  of  June  he  proceeded  thither  in  company  with  his 
friend  Colonel  Wood,  who  was  about  to  leave  Trichinopoly, 
and  whom  the  rajah  was  desirous  of  seeing  as  he  passed 
through  Tanjore.  "  We  set  out,"  he  says,  "  and,  on  the 
way,  I  had  many  pleasing  conferences  with  the  natives. 
When  introduced  to  the  king  in  the  presence  of  Colonel 
Wood,  he  was  very  friendly.  After  a  few  inquiries  re- 
specting the  welfare  of  the  colonel  and  his  family,  he 
asked  me  what  was  the  design  of  our  celebrating  Sunday  ? 
I  explained  to  him  the  command  of  God  relative  to  the 


118  MEMOIRS  OF 

consecration  of  the  Sabbath,  and  his  merciful  intention  in 
giving  it,  namely,  to  make  us  holy  and  happy,  by  devoting 
it  to  the  concerns  of  our  souls.  He  then  inquired  why 
we  Christians  did  not  anoint  ourselves  as  they  did.  I 
replied,  that  the  heathen  thought  they  were  thereby  puri- 
fied from  sin  ;  but  that  we  knew  tiiat  sin  could  not  thus 
be  removed — that  God  had  provided  a  more  effectual 
remedy  by  sending  a  mighty  Saviour  who  had  taken  away 
our  sins  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself;  and  that  we  must 
seek  forgiveness  through  faith  in  this  Redeemer. 

He  then  asked  some  questions  respecting  the  king  of 
England,  and  expressed  a  wish  to  visit  our  country.  I 
took  occasion  in  reply  to  say  something  concerning  the 
religion  which  is  there  taught,  and  how  much  it  con- 
tributes to  the  welfare  both  of  princes  and  people;  adding, 
"This  is  our  wish,  that  you  and  your  subjects  may  em- 
brace it  to  your  present  and  eternal  happiness.  Tiie  king 
looked  at  me,  and  smiled.  His  chief  brahmin  often  inter- 
posed, and  told  him  what  he  had  seen  among  the  Papists  at 
Pondicherry  ;  to  which  he  replied,  that  we  were  very  dif- 
ferent from  the  Papists.  He  then  desired  me  to  speak  to  the 
brahmin  in  Persian,  which  I  did,  and  addressed  a  short  ad- 
monition to  him  ;  but  he  professed  to  have  forgotten  his 
Persian.  Here  the  conversation  ended,  and  we  took  our 
leave.  I  accompanied  Colonel  Wood  a  day's  journey  beyond 
the  river  ;  and  parted  from  him  and  his  lady,  who  is  power- 
fully awakened  to  religion,  with  prayer.  They  were  both 
greatly  affected.  May  God  mightily  carry  on  the  work  he 
has  begun  in  them,  and  bring  it  to  a  glorious  issue  !" 

After  this  interesting  conference  with  the  rajnh,  not 
having  as  yet  received  permission  to  enter  the  fort,  Swartz 
repaired  daily,  early  and  late,  to  the  glacis  near  it,  and 
addressed  the  natives,  who  in  great  numbers  surrounded 
him.  Frequently,  from  the  violence  of  the  land  wind,  he 
was  covered  with  the  dust  which  flew  around  :  he  generally 
spoke  upon  the  great  subjects  of  repentance,  faith,  and 
reconciliation  with  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  till  he  was 
quite  exhausted.  Sometimes  he  expounded  the  parables 
by  which  our  Saviour  displayed  the  treasures  of  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  and  tlie  means  of  attaining  them.  The 
people  commended  his  doctrine,  and  often  said,  "O  that 
the  king  would  embrace  it  !  All  would  then  forsake 
heathenism."     At  the  end  of  a   fortnight  he  received  an 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  119 

unlimited  permission  to  enter  the  fort  whenever  he  was 
disposed.  He  in  consequence  visited  the  principal  officers 
of  the  rajah,  and  fully  declared  to  them  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.  One  of  them  having  offered  him  a  present,  he 
civilly  declined  it,  requesting  him  and  those  who  were 
assembled,  not  to  be  offended  at  his  refusal,  as  he  was 
only  anxious  not  to  interpose  any  obstacle  to  their  recep- 
tion of  Christianity,  by  giving  occasion  to  any  to  suspect 
him  of  interested  motives.  "  He  who  tendered  me  the 
present,"  says  this  wise  and  excellent  man,  replied,  "that 
he  should  never  think  this  of  me."  I  answered,  "  That 
may  be;  but  you  cannot  prevent  others  from  thinking  thus; 
I  seek  the  good  of  your  souls,  and  not  gifts.  I  accepted 
a  nosegay,  and  so  we  parted." 

Sometimes  he  went  through  the  principal  streets  of  the 
fort,  when  many  of  the  inhabitants,  brahmins  and  others, 
collected  around  him,  and  listened  for  a  long  time.  One 
of  the  brahmins  observed,  "  You  allure  the  people  with 
money."  "  I  replied,"  said  Swartz,  before  the  whole 
multitude,  "  Prove  to  me  that  either  I  or  my  brethren  at 
Tranquebar  have  decoyed  a  single  heathen  to  us  with 
money,  and  I  will  hold  my  tongue."  It  was  said,  that 
when  speaking  one  day  before  the  palace,  the  rajah  sta- 
tioned himself  in  an  upper  room,  and  after  listening  to  his 
address,  observed,  "  He  makes  out  our  gods  to  be  down- 
right demons  !  We  must  keep  him  here  to  instruct  this 
foolish  people."  Upon  another  occasion  when  near  the 
palace,  the  king  sent  to  desire  him  not  to  quit  the  fort, 
as  he  wished  to  speak  with  him.  Upon  this  a  number 
of  brahmins  and  others  belonging  to  the  court  hastened 
to  the  palace,  and  Swartz  prepared  himself  for  the  inter- 
view ;  but  the  chief  brahmin,  who  had  the  control  of  the 
revenue,  came  and  diverted  the  king  from  his  purpose. 
He  sent,  however,  to  tell  him  that  he  would  speak  to  him 
in  the  evening  ;  but  again  he  was  prevented.  "  The  poor 
king,"  he  observes,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Francke,  in  which 
he  briefly  mentions  this  remarkable  visit  to  Tanjore,  "sits, 
as  it  were,  in  a  prison.  His  officers  deceive  him  and  the 
whole  country,  and  resist  to  the  utmost  the  settlement  of  a 
missionary  here.  Many,"  he  says  in  his  journal,  "  even 
of  the  brahmins  themselves,  said  that  the  king  would 
gladly  have  had  me  with  him,  but  he  was  afraid  of  the 
people  around  him,     The  great  about  the  court  saw,  with 


120  MEMOIRS  OF 

regret,  that  he  was  desirous  of  detaining  me,  being  fearful 
lest  their  corrupt  practices  might  be  exposed.  At  length 
I  visited  one  of  his  principal  officers,  and  after  declaring 
to  him  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  I  begged  to  make  my  humble 
salam  to  the  king,  and  to  ask  what  was  his  purpose  with 
regard  to  me  ;  that  I  was  come  at  his  gracious  summons, 
ready  to  serve  him  from  my  heart  in  the  cause  of  God  ;  . 
but  that  as  I  had  an  engagement  at  Trichinopoly,  it  would 
be  necessary  that  some  one  should  take  charge  of  my  duty 
there,  if  I  were  to  remain  at  Tanjore.  I  requested  there- 
fore to  know  the  king's  intention.  The  answer  which 
I  received  the  next  day  was  this  ;  that  I  might  return  for 
this  time  to  Trichinopoly,  but  that  I  was  to  remember 
that  the  king  looked  upon  me  as  his  padre.  Many," 
he  adds,  "  of  the  common  people  were  grieved  that  the 
king  should  allow  himself  to  be  hindered  by  his  servants 
from  detaining  me  near  him.  But  God  can,  and  in  his 
own  time  will,  cause  this  nation  to  adore  and  fear  his 
name.  May  He  compassionate  this  poor  people,  now 
lying  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death,  for  his  name's 
sake!" 

Such  is  the  account  which  Mr.  Swartz  gives  in  his 
Journal,  as  well  as  in  letters  to  Dr.  Francke  and  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  of  his  first 
interviews  with  the  rajah  of  Tanjore,  which  led  to  his 
subsequent  establishment  and  favorable  reception  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  that  kingdom.  In  the  month  of  July  he  re- 
turned to  Trichinopoly,  and  resumed  his  ordinary  labors 
among  the  Christians  and  heathens  of  that  city. 

Soon  afterwards  Mr.  W.  Chambers,  who  had  resided 
there  during  the  two  preceding  years,  was  recalled  to 
Madras.  The  sentiments  and  pursuits  of  these  two  excel- 
lent men  were  so  congenial,  that  a  cordial  friendship, 
founded  upon  Christian  principles,  was  the  result  of  their 
intercourse  with  each  other,  which  was  cherished  by  a 
regular  correspondence  from  this  period  to  the  death  of 
Mr.  Chambers,  in  the  year  1793.  With  the  exception  of 
occasional  letters  to  a  few  eminent  persons,  chiefly  in 
Germany,  which  were  almost  considered  as  points  of  of- 
ficial duty,  Swartz  was  not  accustomed  to  write  much  in 
detail,  even  to  his  most  intimate  friends.  His  time  was 
too  fully  occupied  with  the  various  labors  of  his  mission, 
to  allow  of  his  indulging  in  an  extensive  correspondence. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  121 

His  letters  were,  therefore,  in  general  brief,  and  relating, 
for  the  most  part,  to  ordinary  circumstances  and  concerns  ; 
but  they  are  all  strikingly  characteristic  of  his  habitual 
and  elevated  piety,  his  fine  manly  sense,  his  genuine  be- 
nevolence, and  his  affectionate  desire  for  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  welfare  of  his  friends  and  all  around  him. 

The  following  are  two  of  his  earliest  letters  to  Mr. 
Chambers;  and  when  it  is  considered  how  comparatively 
recent  was  his  acquaintance  with  the  English  language, 
the  general  ease  and  correctness  of  his  style  are  extra- 
ordinary. 

"  Five  days  ago  I  received  your  agreeable  letter,  and 
praise  God  for  all  the  mercies  he  has  bestowed  on  you  in 
your  journey,  and  on  your  arrival  at  Madras.  I  doubt  not 
but  he  will  multiply  his  favors  according  to  his  wonted 
mercy.  In  your  new  station  you  will  need  his  gracious 
assistance.  You  have  had  some  specimens  of  the  Alalabar 
people's  sad  art  of  evading  truth,  and  of  affirming  lies  with 
the  boldest  countenance.  This  little  experience  will  help 
you  in  some  respects,  at  least  so  far  as  to  make  you  cau- 
tious. 

"  But  our  caution,  what  doth  it  avail,  unassisted  by 
divine  grace  1  May  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ  strengthen 
and  comfort  you  every  moment  !  What  you  write,  touch- 
ing the  clergymen,*  is  doleful  indeed.  But  you  know, 
that  sort  of  people,  when  they  refuse  to  accept  of  divine 
grace,  have  always  been  the  worst  of  enemies  to  the  pro- 
motion of  the  cause  of  Christ,  as  all  history  declares,  and 
particularly  that  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ.  I  hear  there 
is  another  lately  arrived.  O  that  he  may  be  a  disciple  of 
the  humble  Jesus  ! 

"  Many  people  went  from  hence  to  Madras,  white  and 
black,  to  the  court  martial,  which  seems  now  likely  to 
take  place. t  You  are  on  the  spot.  May  you  be  service- 
able !  I  wish  and  pray  a  gracious  God  may  help  our 
friend,  to  behave,  in  all  circumstances,  as  a  true  disciple 

*  Probably  referring;  to  one  of  those  who  at  this  period  were  but 
too  frequently  unworthy  members  of  the  sacred  profession. 

t  This  refers  to  an  investigation  into  the  military  conduct  of  Col- 
onel Wood,  in  the  campaign  with  Hyder  Ali,  subsequent  to  the 
battle  of  Mulwaggle,  in  which  he  signally  defeated  the  Mysorean 
chief. 

11 


122  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  the  meek  and  holy  Jesus.  A  great  degree  of  true 
humility,  denial  of  himself,  presence  of  mind,  in  short, 
nothing  less  than  divine  grace,  will  be  able  to  carry  him 
through  his  present  troubles  with  a  clear  and  clean  con- 
science. Pray  often  for  him.  We  will  here  entreat  the 
Lord  likewise  to  glorify  his  name  in  this  affair.  Mr. 
Green  was  taken  ill  the  very  day  your  letter  arrived  ;  but 
he  is  now  better,  and  desires  to  be  remembered  by  you. 
Your  George  begins  to  write.  He  seems  to  promise  v^'ell 
in  that  respect.  At  present  I  am  building  a  verandah  and 
a  little  chamber  for  Mr.  Green.  This  has  hindered  me 
from  employing  the  carpenter  to  make  your  palanquin. 

"  Farewell,  my  friend  ;  and  whenever  you  appear  before 
the  throne  of  Christ,  remember  your  fellow  pilgrims  at 
Trichinopoly.  Salute  in  the  Lord,  all  our  friends,  partic- 
ularly the  colonel  and  Mrs.  Wood,  and  her  little  ones. 

"I  am,  dear  friend,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

"  C.   F.   SWARTZ. 

"  Trichinopoly,  8th  of  Sept.  17G9." 

"  It  is  a  long  time   since   I   received  your  kind  letter. 
The  evening   hour    which   I  used   to  spend    in    writing 
letters,  as  you  know,  I   have  spent  a  long  time  with  Mr. 
U.,  who  was  more  than  once  on  the  borders  of  eternity. 
Often  he  could  hardly  pronounce  a  word.     I  admonished 
him  to  repentance   and  faith   in   Jesus   Christ.     He   was 
always  glad  to  see   me,  and  joined  in  prayer,  nay  some- 
times, at  least  once,  he  entreated   me   to  pray  with  him. 
At  present  he  is  in  a   way  of  recovery,  and   I  think  not 
.     I  cannot  write  more  ;  since  what  passeth  be- 
tween a  clergyman  and  a  sick  person  ought  not  to  be  di- 
vulged.    But  O  the  heart  of  man  !     So  far  I  may  tell  you, 
that  we  were  very  plain.     May  God    have   mercy  on   him 
and  us  all  1     The  heart  of  man   is  fickle  beyond  expres- 
sion.    Christian  steadfastness  is  a  glorious  grace  spring- 
ing from  t!ie  enjoyment  of  the  redemption.     In  proportion 
as   we   enjoy  its  precious   fruits,  particularly  pardon   and 
peace,  we  oi)tain  confidence  in  God,  and  count  all  things 
but  loss,  that  we  may  win  Christ,  and  be  found  in  him. 

"  Concerning  the  palanquin,  the  carpenter  would  have 
gladly  done  it,  but  to  this  day  I  have  not  got  a  plank  from 
Tranquebar,  though  they  promised  to  send  them,  as  soon 
as  they  arrived  from  the  Malabar  coast,  which  would  cer- 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  123 

tainly  be  at  the  becfinning  of  October.  The  bamboo  I 
hope  to  get  soon.  Write  me  in  your  next  how  I  shall 
send  it  to  you. 

"  How  do  you  go  on  in  the  Persian  language?  Where 
do  yon  live  1  How  is  the  new  clergyman  ?  Have  you 
not  yet  met  with  one  who  dared  to  be  good   at  Madras? 

Here  at  Trichinopoly  is  great  coldness.     Mrs. and 

I  are  exactly  as  sttangers.  I  have  seen  her  twice  or 
thrice  at  her  house,  but  she  takes  care  not  to  be  molested. 
Every  Monday  there  is  a  concert  at  her  house,  and  daily 
more  than  one  card-table.  The  altar-piece  is  finished.* 
It  is  done,  as  they  say,  very  well.  In  the  Persian  we  have 
several  passages  ;  as,  '  1  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
life  ;  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father,  but  by  me.'  John 
xvi.  2:J.  John  xvii.  3.  '  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy 
God,'  &.C.  *  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature.'  How  is  every  thing  in  the 
colonel's  house  carried  on  ?  Can  you  see  that  they  go 
forward  in  their  pilgrimage  ? 

"  We  think  of  you  often  in  prayer.  May  Jesus  Christ 
strengthen  you  to  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,  laying  hold 
on  eternal  life ! 

"  I  am  sincerely,  dear  friend,  your  affectionate  friend 
and  humble  servant,  C.  F.  Swartz. 

"  Trichinopoly,  Nov.  6,  17G9." 

"  Saruvaien  and  Sadtinaicken  are  upon  a  journey  near 
the  Kalier,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor  Gentiles  and 
Papists.     Thy  kingdom  come  !  " 

The  allusion  in  the  preceding  postscript  to  the  labors  of 
his  two  catechists  may  with  propriety  introduce  a  few 
additional  notices  of  his  own  from  his  journal  during  the 
remainder  of  the  year. 

In  November,  being  at  Urejiir,  near  a  stone  choultry, 
which  was  full  of  idols,  Swartz  met  some  natives,  who 
wished  to  refer  to  him  a  dispute  in   which  they   were  en- 

*  For  his  new  church  at  Trichinopoly.  The  texts  of  Scripture 
vehich  Swartz  mentions  were  inscribed  in  gold  characters,  and  are 
probably  the  only  specimen  of  his  composition  in  that  language, 
which  he  spoke  fluently.  The  first  of  them  must  have  been  pecu- 
liarly obnoxious  to  the  pride  and  bigotry  of  the  Mohammedans,  who 
were  at  that  period  very  powerful  at  Trichinopoly. 


124  MEMOIRS   OF 

gaged.  He  said,  with  his  wonted  wisdom,  "  You  contend 
with  one  another  for  trifles,  and  cannot  brook  the  loss  of 
small  things;  but  the  loss  of  your  souls,  and  their  eternal 
welfare,  you  leave  out  of  sight.  Begin  to  care  for  better 
things  !  " 

The  next  day,  he  visited  some  of  the  natives  who  were 
on  the  corn  floor,  employed  in  cleaning  the  rice  which 
they  had  that  morning  reaped.  "  T4ie  process,"  he  ob- 
serves, "  is  very  simple.  The  grain  is  cut  in  the  morning, 
it  then  lies  a  short  time  on  the  field,  and  soon  after  it  is 
carried  to  the  floor.  They  grasp  a  good  handful,  beat  it 
three  or  four  times  against  the  ground,  clean,  winnow, 
and  measure  it.  The  nabob  takes  sixty  out  of  one  hun- 
dred parts,  the  tenant  forty;  out  of  which  he  must  pay 
the  laborers.  Here,"  says  Swartz,  "  sat  a  number  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  looked  on  as  the  rice  was  winnowed.  I 
sat  down  with  them,  and  explained  to  them  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  and  invited  them  to  a  participation  of  the  blessings 
of  grace." 

At  another  place,  he  conversed  with  two  gardeners,  and 
pointed  out  to  them  the  way  of  becoming  spiritually  fruit- 
ful. They  said,  "  We  have  not  yet  obeyed  our  own  shas- 
ters  :  how  should  we  now  keep  the  true  law  ?  When  we 
leave  you,  we  forget  what  we  have  heard."  They  were 
told  that  they  must  pray  to  God.  "  How,"  said  they, 
"  are  we  to  pray  ?  "  "  Act,"  replied  Swartz,  "like  starv- 
ing beggars.  J)o  not  they  know  how  to  set  forth  their 
hunger  and  distress  ?  Set  before  God  your  ignorance, 
obduracy,  and  misery,  and  beseech  him  to  open  your  eyes 
to  discern  him  and  his  true  word.  This  you  may  do, 
even  in  the  n)idst  of  your  labors.  But  come  also,  and 
allow  yourselves  to  be  instructed.  Try  this  for  ten  days  ; 
it  will  assuredly  be  better  with  you  if  you  follow  this  ad- 
vice. Consider  that  in  nfcio  (Ic/ijs,  perhaps,  yoii  may  be 
happy  or  miserable  for  ever  ;  give,  therefore,  all  diligence, 
and  seek  your  everlasting  salvation.  They  appeared 
friendly,  and  left  me." 

"On  the  8th  of  November,"  he  writes,  "  I  spoke  with 
the  Nabob's  son,  who  at  present  commands  the  regiment 
stationed  here  and  in  the  surrounding  districts,  which,  it  is 
reported,  he  farms  of  his  father  for  an  immense  sum  of 
money.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  priest,  and  said  to 
me,  '  Padre,  let  this  priest  answer  you  a  question ! '    I  said. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  126 

*  The  great  question  is,  How  shall  we  be  freed  from  sin  ; 
from  its  dominion,  as  well  as  its  punishment?'  The  priest 
being  unable  to  express  himself  with  facility  in  Persian, 
the  Nabob's  son  himself  replied,  'Hate  and  forsake  anger, 
sensuality,  envy ;  and  so  you  will  be  clean.'  I  said, 
'  You  require  life  from  the  dead.  Say  to  a  dead  man, 
walk  !  and  see  if  he  will  obey.'  He  said,  '  What  is  not 
done  deliberately,  will  not  be  imputed  to  us.'     1  answered, 

*  You  separate  the  holiness  from  the  goodness  of  God. 
lie  will  doubtless  forgive,  but  in  such  a  way  as  that  his 
holiness  be  not  thereby  obscured, — namely,  tlirough  Jesus 
Christ.'  *  Certainly,'  he  said,  '  we  must  confide  in  God, 
so  as  to  fear  him.'  " 

Swartz  next  mentions  his  attendance  on  two  sick  Euro- 
peans, one  of  whom  appeared  to  be  effectually  changed 
and  converted  by  the  grace  of  God  from  a  life  of  worldli- 
ness  and  sin,  to  deep  humility,  self-denial,  and  willingness 
to  bear  the  cross.  The  other,  a  person  of  rank,  suddenly 
brought,  by  one  of  the  prevalent  diseases  of  the  country, 
to  the  very  brink  of  the  grave,  he  visited  almost  daily  for 
a  fortnight  after  evening  prayers.  At  length,  he  began  to 
recover  a  little  strength,  when  Swartz  represented  to  him 
how  mercifully  God  had  spared  hin),  and  how  anxious  he 
should  be  to  express  his  gratitude,  and  his  determination 
to  live  henceforth  as  a  real  Christian  ;  urging  him  par- 
ticularly to  receive  the  holy  communion.  "  His  answer 
was, '  that  he  could  not  resolve  upon  this  in  India,  because 
such  was  the  state  of  things  here,  that  one  often  felt  com- 
pelled to  act  in  opposition  to  conscience  ;  but  that  if  he 
returned  home,  he  would  communicate.'  •  I  replied,  '  If 
you  are  not  in  a  state  to  partake  of  the  Holy  Supper  in 
India,  you  are  not  in  a  condition  to  die  happily  here.' 
'He  did  not  live,'  he  said,  '  in  open  sin,  and  committed 
himself  to  the  mercy  of  God.'  I  conversed  with  him 
much  afterwards,"  he  adds  ;  "  but  he  heard  all  in  silence, 
just  as  the  heathens  do,  without  any  satisfactory  reply. 
But  so  it  is  with  the  best  of  mere  natural  men.  May  God 
help  us !  " 

The  translation  of  the  New  Testament  in  the  Persian 
language  had  often  occupied  the  attention  of  Swartz,  and 
of  his  friend,  Mr.  W.  Chambers,  who,  in  a  letter  to  his 
brother,  afterwards  Sir  Robert  Chambers,  Chief  Justice 
of  Bengal,  written  during  his  visit  to  Trichinopoly,  thus 
11* 


126  MEMOIRS   OF 

adverts  to  their  mutual  anxiety  to  obtain  a  translation  of 
the  entire  New  Testament  into  the  Persian  language. 

"  I   told   you  in  a  former   letter,  that  Mr.  Swartz   had 
struck   into  a  new  path  at   this  place,  by  having  already 
made   himself  master  of  the    Hindostanee   language,  and 
continuing  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  Persian.     As  he 
was  upon  this  plan  when  I  came  up   about  seven  months 
afo,  he  was  very  well   pleased    with   my  having   brought 
with  me  the  Persian  Gospels;  and  these,  1  assure  you,  are 
read  with  such  profound  veneration   and   attention   by  the 
more  learned  Mohammedans,  as  would  surprise  you.     But 
Mr.  Swartz,  though   he  could   not   but   acknowledge  the 
advantage   these   gave   him   in  showing  the  fundamental 
doctrines  of  our  religion,  yet  has  often  lamented  his  want 
of  the  latter  part  of  the  New  Testament,  in  which  alone 
the  application  of  those  doctrines  is  to  be  found.     Indeed, 
the  sophisiical  questions  they  so  frequently  put  to  us,  in 
perusing  the  '  Ingeel,'   (as  they  call  it,)  do  but  too  plainly 
discover  to  us  the  disadvantage  of  not  being  possessed  of  a 
complete  Persian  New  Testament.     Mr.  Swartz  is  a  man 
of  such  extensive  learning,  of  such  strength  of  judgment, 
is  of  so  regular  a  conduct,  so  cheerful  a  disposition,  and 
such  sincere  piety,  that  1  think  there  can  scarce  be  a  man 
more  likely  to  succeed  in  such  an  undertaking  as  this  is, 
if  he  had  only  the  proper  means.     He  has  already  written 
to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  to  beg 
they  may  supply  him  with   some   books,  and   particularly 
the  complete  New  Testament  in  this  language,  if  such  a 
thing  can  be  procured.     But  I  believe  his  modesty,  in  the 
infancy  of  such  a  scheme,  has  prevented  his  descanting 
so  largely  upon   it  as   he  would,  if  he  were   to  open   his 
mind.       He    has   declared    to    me,    however,   with    some 
energy,  that  he  thought  if  some  hundred   impressions  of 
the   Persian  New  Testament,  in  a  portable  volume,  with- 
out any  translation,  could  be  printed  off  in  England,  either 
by  subscription   or   any  other   means,  they  might  be  dis- 
persed  in  this  country  amongst  the  Moors,  in  all  human 
probability  to  great  advantage.*     The  son  of  the   nabob 
said  to   him  one  day — '  Padre,  we  always   regarded   you 
Europeans  as  a  most  irreligious  race  of  men,  unacquainted 

*  This  is  a  striking  anticipation  of  the  opinion  afterwards  expressed 
upon  this  subject  by  the  late  Sir  William  Jones. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  127 

even  with  the  nature  of  prayer,  till  you  came  and  told  us 
you  had  good  people  amongst  you  in  Europe  ;  since  you 
are  come  here,  indeed,  we  begin  to  think  better  of  you  1 ' 
Both  he  (Mr.  Swartz)  and  your  humble  servant,  begin 
now  to  be  a  little  known  among  them  ;  but  I  assure  you, 
at  first  they  seemed  vastly  surprised  to  find  there  was  any 
thing  rational  in  our  faith,  or  that  any  of  us  pretended  to 
holiness  of  life.  Mohammed  Panah  (the  Moorman  I 
mentioned  in  a  former  letter)  agreed  once  so  far  with  us, 
and  talked  so  loudly  in  praise  of  the  'Ingeel,'  even  before 
his  own  countrymen,  that  I  really  thought  he  was  going 
to  turn  Christian  : — Mr.  Swartz  happening  to  tell  him  the 
circumstance  within  his  knowledge  of  an  Englishman 
having  sent  back  some  valuables  from  scruples  of  con- 
science,— he,  (Mohammed,)  in  a  large  company  of  Moor- 
men of  rank,  began  to  talk  highly  of  our  '  Eemahu,' 
(faith  and  religion,)  and  as  a  proof  of  the  excellence  of  it, 
brought  up  this  very  circutnstance ;  and  at  the  end  of  the 
narration  he  exclaimed,  'There's  an  Ecmdhu  tor  you! 
where  shall  we  find  a  Mussulman  that  would  do  so?' 
He  talked  at  this  rate  so  long  and  so  strenuously,  that 
there  was  an  universal  report  amongst  the  Moormen,  even 
to  the  Nabob,  that  Mohammed  Panah  was  going  to  be  a 
convert  of  Mr.  Swartz  ;  and  upon  this  he  found  himself 
deserted  by  all  his  acquaintance,  particularly  his  great 
ones,  that  before  had  reverenced  him  for  his  learning. 
This  the  old  man  had  not  strength  to  bear  ;  and,  resigning 
himself  up  to  that  passion  which  gets  hold  of  us  all,  in 
some  degree,  'the  fear  of  man,'  he  tacked  about,  and  has 
ever  since,  in  the  presence  of  his  .countrymen,  disputed 
against  some  of  the  principal  points  of  Christianity  with 
all  his  usual  sophistry. 

"  Who  knows,  however,  what  such  a  man  might  have 
done  before  now,  if  he  had  but  had  one  more  to  keep 
him  in  countenance  1  and  who  can  say  that  he  might  not 
have  had  many  more,  if  the  New  Testament  had  been 
known  among  them  1  All  I  have  to  beg  of  you,  is,  that 
you  will  procure  for  me  one  Persian  New  Testament  at 
least,  if  possible  ;  and  as  for  the  other  scheme,  you  know 
best,  whether  you  can  at  all  promote  it.  I  am  well  aware 
of  the  difficulty  of  bringing  any  such  thing  about  in  the 
present  age,  and  therefore  scarcely  know  what  to  say  to 
you  upon  the  subject :  you  have  the  state  of  the  case. 


128  MEMOIRS  OF 

however,  and  it  is  your  particular  province,  you  know, 
to  discuss  the  merits  of  it.  One  thing  you  may  do,  per- 
haps, viz.;  if  you  are  acquainted  with  any  of  the  members 
of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  you 
may  back  what  Mr.  Swartz  has  said  in  his  letter  with 
what  1  have  said  in  this  ;  and  he,  as  well  as  the  religion 
we  profess,  will  both  be  much  obliged  to  you.  To  a 
friend,  what  can  I  say  more?"* 

Though  the  early  zeal  of  Mr.  Swartz  and  Mr.  Cham- 
bers, and  the  subsequent  attempts  of  the  latter,  were  not 
successful  in  the  important  object  to  which  the  preceding 
letter  refers,  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  more  than  one 
excellent  translation  of  the  New  Testament  into  the  Per- 
sian language  has  long  since  been  distributed  in  India.t 
and  that  many  Mohammedans  have  been  convinced  of  its 
divine  inspiration,  and  instructed  in  its  sacred  truths  by 
means  of  those  invaluable  works. 

The  testimony  of  the  Nabob's  son,  to  the  exemplary 
piety  of  Swartz,  as  incidentally  mentioned  by  his  young 
friend,  who  afterwards,  like  the  excellent  missionary,  con- 
tributed to  raise  the  estimate  of  the  European  character  in 
the  native  mind,  will  not  fail  to  be  appreciated  as  it  de- 
serves. 

With  what  wisdom  and  kindness  Mr.  Swartz  expounded 
the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  his  journals  frequently  testify. 
Thus  he  relieved  the  fears  which  our  Lord's  declaration, 
(John  vi.  44,  No  man  can  come  unto  me,  except  the 
Father  which  hath  sent  me  draw  him,)  had  excited  in  the 
mind  of  a  sick  soldier  in  the  hospital  at  Ureju,  who  had 
been  religiously  disposed  in  Europe,  but  whose  good  im- 
pressions had  been  much  effaced  in  India.'  "  Well,"  I 
said,  "  does  not  the  Father  draw  you  by  the  word  of  his 
gracious  Gospel,  when  you  read  what  Christ  has  done  and 
suffered  for  you,  what  blessings  he  has  obtained  for  you, 
what  promises  he  has  given  you,  what  help  he  has  offered 
you,  what  divine  exhortations  he  has  addressed  to  you  ? 
Does  not  the  Father  draw  you  by  all  these?  But  you 
expect  every  thing  without  using  the  appointed  means. 
Humbly  improve  those  means,  and  confide  in  him  that  he 
will  impart  to  you  more  and  more  grace." 

*  The  constant  conclusion  of  all  Persian  letters. 
f  Particularly  that  of  the  lamented  Henry  Martyn. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  12§ 

"  On  the  13th,  and  two  following  days  of  Novem- 
ber," says  this  pious  and  grateful  observer  of  divine  Provi- 
dence, "  I  was  engaged  only  with  the  children  in  the 
schools,  and  with  a  sick  person  ;  the  almost  incessant  rain 
preventing  me  from  going  out.  The  gracious  God  has 
copiously  refreshed  this  district,  so  that  the  high  lands, 
which  cannot  be  watered  by  the  river,  are  rendered  fruit- 
ful by  the  showers.  Praised  be  God  I  On  the  20th,  I 
went  out  early.  It  was  a  peculiarly  pleasant  morning  ; 
the  beams  of  the  sun,  after  the  late  rains,  being  doubly 
reviving.  A  heathen  came  to  me,  whom  I  affectionately 
entreated  not  to  neglect  so  good  a  God,  who  created,  pre- 
serves, and  redeemed  us.  During  this  month  the  brah- 
mins and  others  repair  to  the  river  to  bathe.  On  the  21st, 
a  vast  multitude  being  assembled,  I  suggested  to  the 
brahmins,  whether  their  outward  washings  could  purify  ; 
and  added,  that  the  great  God  had  indeed  provided  and 
revealed  to  mankind  a  divine  method  of  purification  from 
sin." 

The  next  day  after,  pointing  out  to  a  party  of  attentive 
hearers  the  sin  and  folly  of  idolatry,  and  explaining  the 
leading  doctrines  of  divine  truth,  a  brahmin  said,  "  We 
also  have  books  and  priests,  and  we  must  not  depart  from 
them.  You  do  well  to  believe  your  law,  and  to  instruct 
the  ignorant ;  but  that  we,  who  have  learned  something, 
should  go  over  to  you,  can  never  be."  "  If  a  blind  man," 
I  replied,  "  pretend  to  show  others  the  way,  both  must  fall 
into  the  ditch.  You  have  priests  ;  but  prove  whether  what 
they  teach  be  truth  or  falsehood,  light  or  darkness.  To 
what  purpose  has  God  given  you  understanding?  Pray 
to  him  also  that  he  would  guide  you  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth.  You  well  know  how  your  priests  instruct.  You 
will  shortly  have  a  festival  at  Seringham,  during  which 
they  will  exhibit  the  obscene  images  and  actions  of  your 
idols.  Do  you  call  that  instructing  in  what  is  good? 
Look  at  the  effects  which  such  instructions  produce. 
Is  not  your  country  overwhelmed  with  impurity  ?  Upon 
this  we  seated  ourselves  under  a  tree,  and  I  expounded  and 
appropriated  to  them  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son. 

"  I  again  visited  the  sick  in  the  hospital.  Some  thought 
that  this  school  of  the  cross  had  not  been  unblessed  to 
them.  In  the  afternoon,  I  was  called  to  an  officer  of  the 
nabob,  who  was  born  in  the  principality  of  Halberstadt. 


130  MEMOIRS  OF 

He  was  very  ill,  and  his  mind  much  distressed.  An  im- 
prudent marriage,  against  which  I  had  earnestly  warned 
him,  had  injured  him  much  both  in  body  and  soul,  which 
he  now  deeply  lamented.  I  directed  him  to  Christ,  and 
his  blood  of  reconciliation,  by  which  all  our  sins  can  be 
blotted  out,  and  prayed  with  him." 

"  December.  A  Mohammedan  from  the  north,  who 
wished  to  be  a  chief  priest,  visited  me  with  his  wife.  We 
sat  down  before  the  church-door.  He  inquired  concerning 
the  Christian  doctrine,  when  that  of  the  atonement  was 
chiefly  insisted  on.  He  said,  '  My  mind  is  truly  in  doubt 
and  anxiety.'  'Turn,  then,'  I  replied,  'to  him  who  can 
and  will  relieve  you.'  His  followers  went  into  the  church, 
and  performed  their  evening  devotions  kneeling.  This 
man  has  since  visited  me  only  twice.  '  The  nabob,'  said 
another  Mohammedan,  near  him,  '  is  against  it.  What 
can  we  do?'  To  this  a  third,  who  is  in  the  nabob's  con- 
fidence, assented.  When  I  asked  him,  therefore,  after- 
wards, why  he  never  came  to  me — '  The  times  are  such,' 
said  he,  '  that  whoever  converses  with  you  must  suffer  for 
it.'" 

"  Many  among  the  heathen,  also,"  Swartz  observes  in 
his  letters  to  Dr.  Francke  and  to  the  Society  for  Promot- 
ing Christian  Knowledge,  "  have  owned  themselves  con- 
vinced in  their  hearts  of  the  truth  of  tbe  Christian  religion, 
but  the  cross  which  they  must  take  up  as  soon  as  they 
embrace  Christianity,  deters  them  from  a  public  profes- 
sion of  it."  Notwithstanding  these  difficulties  and  discour- 
agements, he  adds,  "  I  have  baptized  twenty-five  adults  in 
the  course  of  this  year,  received  several  Roman  Catholics 
into  the  Protestant  church,  and  five  children  have  been 
born  in  the  congregations.  Some,  especially  of  the  women, 
so  conduct  themselves,  that  I  have  a  good  hope  that  the 
word  of  God  has  not  been  preached  to  them  in  vain.  We 
exhort  one  another  to  this  end,  and  trust  that  God  will, 
according  to  his  goodness,  permit  us  to  behold  with  re- 
joicing the  days  of  harvest." 

"  At  the  sacred  festival  of  Christmas,"  thus  Swartz  con- 
cludes his  journal  for  the  year  1709,  "  we  endeavored  to 
stir  up  ourselves  and  the  congregations  to  faith,  love,  and 
thankfulness,  by  the  blessed  Gospel  of  the  unspeakable 
love  of  God,  as  it  is  manifested  in  the  incarnation  of 
Christ;"  and  in  a  short  letter,  dated  December  23,  in 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  131 

which  he  informs  his  friend,  Mr.  Chambers,  that  he  had 
despatched  the  furniture  which  he  had  left  at  Trichinopoly, 
he  thus  expresses  his  grateful  emotions  on  the  return  of 
that  hallowed  season. 

"  I  wish  you  may  enjoy  the  fullness  of  grace,  purchased 
for  us  by  Jesus  Christ.  May  the  good  tidings  raise  your 
heart  to  holy  joy,  thankfulness,  and  love  !  Remember  me 
to  all  our  friends." 


132  MEMOIRS   OF 


CHAPTER  VIII.  ^ 

Mr.  Swartz's  general  occupations  during  the  year  1770 — Conversion 
of  a  Pandaram — Journey  to  Madras  and  Cuddalore — Letters  to 
Mr.  Chambers — Devotional  service  with  English  soldiers  at  Trich- 
inopoly — Further  Letters  to  Mr.  Chambers — Visit  to  Tanjore — 
Extracts  from  his  journal  of  conversations  with  natives^Return 
to  Trichinopoly — Svvartz  visits  the  great  mosque,  and  addresses 
the  Mohammedans — Letter  to  Dr.  Knapp,  with  a  sketch  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  year — Excitement  of  the  Roman  Catholics  in 
Tanjore — His  anxiety  for  a  colleague. 

The  year  1770  was  spent,  like  the  preceding,  in  diligent 
labors  among  the  heathen  and  others,  and  in  visiting  his 
Christian  brethren.  "  From  the  commencement  to  the 
end  of  this  year,"  he  observes,  in  his  journal,  "  the  gospel 
of  God  reconciled  to  us  in  Christ,  has  been  preached  to 
the  poor  heathen  in  Trichinopoly,  Seringham,  and  the  sur- 
rounding villages.  Daily,  morning  and  afternoon,  have 
the  catechists  gone  forth,  and  sowed  the  seed  of  the  word 
of  God.  In  the  afternoons  I  have  myself  accompanied 
one  of  them.  The  conviction  among  many  thousand 
heathen  and  Roman  Catholics  is  certainly  remarkable,  so 
that  they  even  speak  of  it  among  one  another.  The  fear 
of  man,  however,  and  other  similar  causes,  keep  them 
back.  Notwithstanding,  may  God  yet  have  mercy  on 
them  !  In  addition  to  my  employment  in  the  schools 
throughout  the  year,  except  during  two  months,  in  which 
I  travelled  to  Madras,  I  have  in  the  mornings  held  prepar- 
ations with  various  natives,  heathen  and  Roman  Catholic, 
for  receiving  them  into  the  communion  of  our  church." 

With  respect  to  some  of  his  converts,  he  reports  the 
most  pleasing  and  satisfactory  proofs  of  sincerity  ;  while 
as  to  others,  he  with  equal  ingenuousness  acknowledges 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  I33 

the  superficial  and  temporary  nature  of  their  profession  of 
Christianity.  Among  other  instances  of  success  he  par- 
ticularly mentions  the  following. 

"  A  young  Pandaram,  who  for  nearly  seven  years  had 
resorted  to  all  the  celebrated  pagodas  and  reputed  sacred 
waters,  without  finding  rest  to  his  soul,  was  accosted  by 
us  one  afternoon  near  the  river.  He  had,  he  said,  often 
entertained  doubts  as  to  the  whole  of  the  heathen  cere- 
monies. A  Roman  Catholic  had  given  him  a  little  brazen 
%rucifix  ;  this  he  had  carried  about  him,  and  ofien,  as  he 
told  us,  had  placed  it  before  him,  and  worshipped.  '  To- 
day,' he  said,  '  I  was  at  the  river,  and  beholding  the 
numerous  pagodas  of  Seringham,  I  thought  within  myself, 
What  is  all  this  ?  What  can  it  avail  ?  Just  as  I  was 
thinking  thus,  your  catechists  approached  and  recommen- 
ded Christianity  to  me.  I  will  now  see  what  effect  your 
doctrines  will  have.  If  I  discover  in  them  any  thing 
better  than  I  have  found  in  heathenism,  I  will  cheerfully 
embrace  them.'  We  recommended  him  to  remain  with 
us  a  fortnight,  and  attend  to  the  Christian  doctrines  with 
becoming  seriousness  and  prayer  ;  honestly  to  state  the 
doubts  he  might  at  any  time  entertain  ;  and  when  he  had 
in  some  degree  ascertained  the  nature  of  Christianity,  to 
determine  what  he  would  do.  lie  was  pleased  with  the 
proposal,  and  attended  daily  to  what  was  addressed  to 
those  who  were  under  a  course  of  catechetical  prepara- 
tion ;  and  at  length  voluntarily  laid  aside  his  Pandaram's 
habit,  and  gave  up  his  string  of  a  particular  kind  of  corn, 
which  both  Pagans  and  Romish  Christians  use  as  a  rosary. 
He  learned  with  diligence,  and  began  to  pray,  being  daily 
present  when  I  prayed  with  my  servant  morning  and  even- 
ing. After  holy  baptism,  he  requested  that  an  opportunity 
might  be  afforded  him  of  again  learning  to  read,  which  he 
had  previously  been  taught,  but  had  forgotten.  He  has 
now  been  with  us  four  months,  and  nothing  inconsistent 
has  been  perceived  in  him.  The  knowledge  of  Christ  will 
render  him  truly  zealous  and  sincere." 

The  journey  to  Madras,  alluded  to  in  the  preceding 
extract,  occupied  the  months  of  February  and  March  ; 
"but  as  I  did  not  keep  a  perfect  diary,"  says  this  con- 
scientious missionary  in  his  journal  for  the  year,  "  I  have 
passed  it  by,  from  an  apprehension  that  much  might  be 
now  written  that  was  not  accurate,  and  consequently  not 
12 


134  MEMOIRS   OF 

according  to  truth.  On  tho  whole  journey,  repentance 
towards  God,  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  were 
proclaimed  to  the  heathen  and  to  the  Roman  Catholics  ; 
and  at  the  request  of  my  brethren,  I  visited  the  different 
and  distant  congregations  in  the  country,  in  order  to 
impress  upon  their  hearts  a  word  of  exhortation." 

From  Cuddalore,  on  his  return  to  Trichinopoly,  Swartz 
thus  addressed  his  friend,  Mr.  Chambeis. 

"  In  my  journey  I  have  frequently  considered  your 
synagogue,  (remember  me  to  that  gentleman  who  used 
that  fine  expression,)  and  wished  you  divine  blessing. 
But  as  in  every  Jewish  synagogue  at  least  ten  persons 
were  requisite  to  keep  up  divine  service,  so  I  wish  you 
may  increase  in  ten  times  ten  hundred,  and  if  possible, 
thousand.  Let  Jesus  be  your  high  priest  and  preacher. 
Grow  in  him,  and  what  1  told  you  last,  keep  in  memory, 
or  rather  in  constant  practice.  Read  frequently  John 
xvii.  3,  11,  15,  16,  21  ;  iru  Tidvieg  i'v  wci,  xut^tag  ffi3 
■ndteg  iv  iuol  xdyts)  iv  ao\^  i'va  nul  aviol  ir  '^uiv  ev 
wcrr,  I'va  6  xoof^iog  moTsvot]  oti,  av  fis  dneaTEilag.  Let 
us,  therefore,  according  to  that  heavenly  pattern  and 
divine  admonition,  strive  to  be  one — 
"  One  in  doctrine, 
One  in  adhering  to  Christ, 
One  in  loving  him. 

One  in  despising  and  renouncing  the  world. 
One  in  loving  one  another. 
One  in  bearing  the  cross. 

"  As  God  has  made  us  equal  in  the  share  of  the  most 
glorious  benefits  of  the  gospel,  as  having  given  us  one 
orospel,  one  baptism,  one  hope,  one  gloiious  Redeemer, 
so  he  has  thereby  designed  us  to  be  the  same  in  brotherly 
love.  And  as  without  joint  prayer  that  brotiieriy  love 
cannot  be  kept  in  proper  vigor,  let  us  endeavor  to  keep 
up  that  holy  exercise. 

"  We  poor  pilgrims  ;it  Trichinopoly  hope  to  be  benefited 
by    your    hearty    supplications.       Brethren,   pray   for    us. 
Salute  the  brethren    in   the  Lord.     Grace  be  with   you  ! 
Have  salt  in  yourselves,  and  peace  with  the  salt ! 
"  Cuddalore,  March  30,  1770." 

An  extract  from  another  letter  relating  to  the  Chris- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  135 

tiari  Society  referred  to  in  the  preceding,  may  properly 
follow  it. 

"  Tliat  you  are  united  in  a  brotherly  manner,  has 
rejoiced  me  very  much.  Such  '  Collegia  Biblica,'  as  we 
were  used  to  call  them,  were  the  beginning  of  that  exten- 
sive blessing  in  Germany*  Mr.  Spener  first  instituted 
them,  when  he  was  chaplain  at  Dresden.  Afterwards 
Mr.  Francke,  Mr.  Anthony,  and  others,  followed  the  good 
example  of  Mr.  Si)cner  at  Leipzig,  and  from  thence  it 
became  more  foshionable.  As  you  kindly  desire  my 
advice  in  this  matter,  I  will  freely  offer  it,  knowing  that 
friends  receive  every  thing  of  that  nature,  though  they 
have  a  right,  nay  are  obliged,  to  prove  every  thing  accord- 
ing to  the  infallible  rule  of  holy  Scripture.  I  could  wish, 
that  when,  after  reading  the  chapter  of  the  Bible,  you 
begin  to  expound  it,  erery  member  might  contribute  some- 
thing. In  tills  manner  you  might  all  learn  to  prophesy. 
The  spirits  of  the  prophets  are  subject  to  the  prophets, 
as  you  all  know.  Likewise  in  respect  of  the  prayer,  one 
might  undertake  it  one  Sunday,  another  the  next,  so  your 
gift  might  become  beneficial  to  all.  I  confess  the  joint 
prayer  of  my  brctiircn  has  been  highly  edifying  to  me, 
and  even  them,  when  the  person  who  prayed  displeased 
himself  The  reading  of  the  sermon,  likewise,  should 
not  always  be  by  one.  The  world  will  also  have  less  to 
censure.  Yours  is  a  brotherly  society  ;  none  is  greater, 
none  less  ;  all  upon  that  noble  ground  of  humility,  and 
brotherly  forbearance.  And  this  divine  humility  will  keep 
every  member  from  censuring  or  gainsaying  his  brother. 
If  humility  and  sincerity  govern  your  society,  you  will 
have,  I  cheerfully  hope,  a  great  blessing.  O  that  the 
Spirit  from  on  high  might  come  upon  us  all,  that  the 
barren  might  become  fruitful,  the  weak  strong,  and  the 
mourners  rejoicing  !  Salute  your  dear  brethren  in  the 
Lord,  and  let  this  plain  epistle  be  read,  if  you  please, 
by  them.  My  heart  and  love  are  with  you.  Remember 
us  in  our  desert,  that  here  the  waters  of  life  may  like- 
wise flow. 

"  Trichinopoly,  May  14,  1770." 


*  About  the  year  16SG. 


136  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  That  our  friend,  Mr. improves  in  the  knowledge 

of  Christ,  is  a  matter  of  great  joy.  Blessed  be  God,  who 
raises  up  himself  a  seed  in  your  place  1  May  Jesus  reign 
in  all  your  hearts  I  The  blessing  of  being  united  in  the 
Lord  is  so  great,  that  no  angel's  tongue  can  declare  or 
explain  it  sufficiently.  Stick,  therefore,  close  to  it.  Small 
inadvertencies  in  a  brother  ought  to  be  overlooked.  I  feel 
at  present  what  it  is  to  have  and  to  lose  a  companion  in 
the  road  to  heaven.  It  -is  an  invaluable  treasure.  In 
proportion  as  you  grow  united,  edifying  one  another  in 
all  simplicity  and  brotherly  love,  you  will  experience  an 
internal  growth  in  faith,  hope,  joy,  and  strength.  May 
the  Lord  Jesus  be  in  the  midst  of  your  assembly,  invig- 
orating and  strengthening  you  by  his  Spirit ! 

"  Trichinopoly,  July  16,  1770." 

"  Dr.  Gordon  goes  to-day  to  Madras.     I  have  given  him 

six  hundred  star  pagodas  to  deliver  to  Mr.  F ,  being 

the  estate  of  Mrs.  H and  her  orphans.     Within  ten 

days,  he  will  be  with  you.  As  soon  as  he  comes,  you 
will  kindly  take  care  to  get  the  money,  and  to  make  out  a 
bond.  Do  you  go  on  in  your  '  Collegio  Biblico  ?'  This 
evening  I  read  before  the  soldiers,  Acts  xix.  '  Have  ye 
received  the  Holy  Ghost?'  Let  us  examine  our  hearts 
and  lives  frequently,  and  try  whether  we  can  humbly 
answer  the  question  in  the  affirmative. 

"  May  God  pour  out  his  Spirit  upon  us,  so  as  to  create 
in  us  a  universal  hatred  of  sin,  a  true  and  strong  hunger 
and  thirst  after  Jesus  and  his  righteousness,  together  with 
a  willingness  to  bear  his  cross  ! 

"Salute  all  the  brethren  in  the  Lord.  Grace  be  and 
remain  with  you  ! 

"  Trichinopoly,  August  30,  1770." 

Of  the  devotional  service  with  the  soldiers  alluded  to  in 
the  preceding  extract,  Swartz  gives  an  interesting  account 
in  his  journal,  and  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Knapp. 

"  When  I  return  in  the  evening  from  my  customary 
excursion  among  the  heathen,  I  hold  a  prayer  meeting 
with  the  English  soldiers.  This,  God  has  graciously  not 
left  without  a  blessing.  A  chapter  from  the  New  Testa- 
ment is  read,  some  verses  expounded,  and  the  services 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  137 

concluded  with  some  practical  advice.  Many  attend  this 
evening  prayer,  and  twenty  of  them  have  united  m  devot- 
ing themselves  sincerely  to  the  Lord  ;  and,  to  confirm  their 
resolution,  have  received  the  holy  sacrament.  These,  on 
Sundays,  after  public  service,  hold  a  special  prayer-meet- 
ing, in  which  they  encourage  themselves  by  singing  the 
evangelical  hymns  of  the  blessed  Watts,  and,  in  their 
own  words,  pour  out  their  hearts  before  God.  The 
mutual  agreement  among  them  is,  that  if  any  one  lives  in 
known  sin,  he  is  admonished,  reproved,  and,  on  failingr  to 
amend,  is  to  be  excluded  from  this  special  meeting.  The 
gracious  God  direct  his  eye  towards  them,  increase  their 
number,  and  guide  them  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  glory 
of  his  name,  and  the  edification  of  each  other !" 

The  two  following  letters  to  Mr.  Chambers,  in  the 
autumn  of  this  year,  beautifully  illustrate  the  piety  and 
humility  of  Swartz. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Your  kind  letter  I  received  several 
days  ago,  by  Tasunaick,  together  with  the  piece  of  broad- 
cloth. I  thank  you  for  your  tender  (I  might  almost  say 
too  tender)  regard  for  me,  poor  sinner ;  1  wish — nay, 
pray  heartily,  that  i/on  may  always  appear  clothed  with 
the  righteousness  of  your  divine  Redeemer.  Just  now  we 
considered,  to  our  mutual  edification,  in  our  evening 
prayer,  that  excellent  chapter,  Rom.  v.  '  Being  therefore 
justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  ('hrist;  rejoice  in  the  hope  of  glory  ;  rejoice 
even  in  tribulation.'  What  inestimable  blessings  are 
these  !  and  all  purchased  by  Ciirist,  and  given  freely  to  all 
hungry  and  thirsty  souls !  O  that  we  might  open  our 
mouths  wide  and  be  filled  !  As  I  read  you  once  that 
passage  in  the  garden,  so  I  could  not  help  reflecting  on  it ; 
nay,  I  shall  remember  you  as  often  as  I  read  it.  May  the 
Spirit  of  God  be  poured  out  in  our  hearts,  and  may  he 
display  to  us  the  inconceivable  wonders  of  the  grace  of 
God  towards  us  ! 

"  Your  boys  are  now,  no  doubt,  with  you.  1  hope  and 
pray  that  they  may  be  serviceable  to  you.  Let  me  by- 
and-by  hear  of  them.  I  forgot  to  mention  the  last  time 
that  I  have  sent  my  palanquin  to  Madras.  Mr.  Evers,  the 
nabob's  officer,  borrowed  it  from  me.  You  are  welcome 
12* 


138  MEMOIRS  OF 

to  it.  As  soon  as  you  desire  it,  he  is  to  let  you  have  it. 
You  may  give  him  your  palanquin.  May  the  God  of  all 
grace  strengthen  you  to  do  his  will  in  all  respects !  My 
best  wishes  to  all  our  friends.  I  remain  your  affectionate 
friend  and  fellow  pilgrim. 
"  Trichinopoly,  September  18,  1770." 

"  My  dear  Friend, — It  is  now  a  good  while  since  I 
wrote  a  line.  It  was  the  evening  when  I  had  been  read- 
ing at  our  meeting  the  2d  chapter  of  the  Epistle  to  the 
Galatians.  Now  I  have  been  reading  the  2d  chapter 
of  the  Revelations,  and  considered  the  first  Epistle  sent 
to  the  angel  of  Ephesus.  How  many  things  doth  our 
Saviour  approve  of,  which  were  conspicuous  in  the  char- 
acter of  that  bishop.  Nevertheless,  lie  had  against  him 
that  he  had  left  the  first  love.  He  still  did  many  laudable 
things,  but  the  principle  from  which  they  flowed  was  no 
more  that  pure  and  fervent  love  which  formerly  used  to 
move  and  influence  him.  His  heart  became  somewhat 
cold  and  indifferent,  and  he  performed  many  things  more 
from  custom  than  love.  I  cannot  say  how  that  tender  and 
mournful  complaint  moved  me.  It  was  as  if  Jesus  stood 
before  me,  telling  me,  I  have  that  against  thee.  My  heart 
was  quite  melted  down.  Yes,  no  doubt,  too  many  things, 
otherwise  good  in  themselves,  are  done  without  that  noble 
spirit  of  love.  O  that  my  heart  might  bleed  for  that  un- 
accountable coldness  with  respect  to  the  love  I  owe  to  my 
blessed  Redeemer  ;  1  repent  of  it  sincerely,  though  not  so 
as  I  wish,  remembering  how  great  the  fall  is.  But  how 
cheering  is  the  promise,  which  that  beloved  Redeemer 
gives  to  all  those  who  overcome  that  coldness,  and  strive 
to  be  fervent  in  love.  They  shall  'eat  of  the  tree  of  life, 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  paradise  of  God  ;  tiiey  shall 
enjoy  the  sweet  favor  and  love  of  God  ;  they  shall  see  and 
taste  how  good  the  Lord  is.'  May  tliis  inestimable 
promise  keep  up  a  fire  of  love  in  our  breast !  May  we 
condemn  all  coldness  and  mere  formality  in  religious 
exercises!  I  hope  your  heart  is  burning  with  the  love  of 
Christ,  as  the  heart  of  the  disciples  in  the  road  to  Emmaus. 
Indeed,  materials  to  kindle  that  fire  in  us  are  not  wanting, 
provided  we  take  care  and  be  vigilant.  Let  us,  then, 
mutually  excite  one  another  as  long  as  we  have  opportu- 
nity ;  and  let  not  the  multiplicity  of  business  damp  that 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  139 

holy  flame,  which  ought  to  be  burning  continurilly.  My 
heart  wishes  you  may  be  always  a  shining  light!  Amen  ! 
Be  it  so  !  " 

It  is  impossible  not  to  feel,  in  reading  this  exquisite 
letter,  how  true  it  is,  that  the  best  and  holiest  Christians 
are  invariably  the  most  humble.  Few,  perhaps,  ever 
retained  their  first  and  earliest  fervor  of  divine  love  in 
all  its  freshness  and  vigor,  through  a  longer  series  of  years 
than  this  admirable  man.  Yet  with  what  tenderness  and 
depth  of  feeling  does  he  lament  his  deficiency  and  failure! 
Surely  this  is  an  example  of  genuine  Christian  affection, 
which  ought  powerfully  to  appeal  to  the  hearts  of  many 
who  must  be  conscious  of  far  greater  declensions  in  the 
love  of  Christ  than  any  which  he  so  pathetically  deplores. 
May  the  reflection  tend  at  once  to  bumble  and  to  an- 
imate us ! 

After  the  brief  summary  of  his  labors  during  this  year, 
already  noticed,  Mr.  Swartz  gives  a  more  detailed  account 
of  them  during  the  last  four  months  of  it,  in  his  journal. 

On  the  9th  of  October  he  left  Trichinopoly  on  a  visit 
to  Tanjore.  He  was  accompanied  on  this  journey  by 
the  native  catechist  Saedtinaicken,  who  was  born  there. 
Having  reached  Klicotta,  they  conversed  with  a  number 
of  heathens,  Mohammedans,  and  Romish  Christians,  on 
the  important  subject  of  the  Creator  of  heaven  and  earth, 
and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  "  While  engaged,"  Swartz 
observes,  "  in  this  conversation,  a  poor  widow  came  and 
asked  alms.  They  referred  her  to  me  ;  upon  which  I 
said,  '  God  has  shown  mercy  to  every  one  of  us,  and  thus 
teaches  us  our  duty  to  one  another.  You  have  sent  this 
poor  widow  to  me  ;  be  not,  then,  hard-hearted,  but  let  us 
all  contribute  somethincf,  and  gladden  her  heart.'  But, 
alas  !  no  one  of  them  would  give  any  thing."  He  alone 
relieved  her.  The  next  day  he  arrived  at  Tanjore,  and 
accompanied  his  friend,  captain  Berg,  who  had  met  him 
on  the  way,  to  his  house. 

On  Sunday  the  14th  he  preached  in  the  morning  to  the 
Tamul  Christians,  next  to  the  Portuguese,  and  in  the  after- 
noon to  a  few  Germans  who  were  there,  from  Matt.  xxii. 
34,  on  the  genuine  love  of  God,  evidenced  by  its  fruits. 
"  The  day  being  cool,"  he  says,  "  I  went  round  the  fort, 
the  poor  heathen  collecting  in  numbers  to  hear  the  word 


140  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  God.  After  conversing  with  them,  a  Mohammedan 
approached,  and  asked  me,  '  What  was  the  difference 
between   his   religion  and   mine.'      To   which   I   replied, 

*  We  both  have  a  heavy  burthen  of  sin  to  carry.  You 
have  none  to  remove  it ;  but  we  have,  in  Jesus  Christ,  a 
powerful  deliverer.'" 

"  On  the  IGth,"  he  continues,  "  I  repaired  to  the  river, 
where,  during  this  month,  the  brahmins  assemble  daily, 
and  read  the  history  of  Ram  to  the  numerous  attending 
natives.  On  the  way  thither  I  met  the  rajah's  arikar, 
whose  duty  it  is  to  report  to  him  every  day  whatever  he 
sees  extraordinary.  '  Tell  the  king,'  said  1,  '  that  you  saw 
me,  and  that  I  testify  to  great  and  small,  that  they  should 
turn  from  dumb  idols  to  the  living  God  ;  and  that  from 
my  heart  I  wish  that  the  king  would  in  this  respect  set 
his  subjects  a  good  example.'  '  Good,  good,'  he  replied, 
'  I  will  tell  him.' 

"  The  brahmins  sat  in  rows  by  the  river.  As  I  ap- 
proached, one  said,  'Give  something  to  the  brahmins.' 
'Well,'  said  I,  '  first  give  me  some  useful  instruction — 
teach  me  what  relates  to  my  welfare,  and  then  I  will  give 
you  something  gladly.'  Another  said,  '  This  is  our  advice, 
that  if  you  give  money  to  the  brahmins,  you  shall  prosper.' 
'  Is  that  all  V  I  replied  ;  '  do  you  know  nothing  more  than 
that?'  I  then  copiously  unfolded  the  perfections  of  the 
great  God,  and  our  obligation  to  worship  and  serve  him 
only,  our  ingratitude  and  disobedience,  the  one  method  of 
reconciliation  with  him,  the  holiness  and  happiness  con- 
sequent upon  cordially  acquiescing  in  it.  Many  listened 
in  silence.  The  brahmins  afterwards  strongly  commended 
my  doctrine-,  and  the  people  testified  their  satisfaction. 

"  Farther  on,"  he  continues,  "  1  sat  down  under  a 
shady  tree.  The  river  was  skirted  with  a  border  of 
verdant  shrubs,  and  all  looked  fresh  and  green  after  the 
abundant  rain.  My  heart  was  quite  exhilarated  by  the 
view  of  God's  lovely  creation.  Many  heathens  approached, 
one  of  whom  said,  '  What  you  were  teaching  yonder  is 
right  and  good.'  Upon  this  1  declared  to  them  the  counsel 
of  God,  and  testified  to  them  that  we  must,  in  a  short 
time,  appear  before  the  Judge  of  all  mankind,  to  give  an 
account  of  our  conduct ;  and  that  they  would  rue  it  ever- 
lastingly, if  they  rejected  the  truth.     A  young  man  said, 

*  I  will  hear  the  truth.' 


THE  REV.  C.   F.  SWARTZ.  141 

"  In  the  afternoon,  I  addressed  the  people  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  fort,  where  they  surrounded  and  listened  to 
me  as  long  as  I  continued  speaking.  O  that  God  would 
give  them  an  obedient  heart!  On  my  return,  a  Moham- 
medan frankly  said,  '  The  people  talk  of  you  very 
strangely,  asserting  that  you  come  here  to  draw  them 
over  to  your  religion.'  I  replied,  '  They  say  what  is  per- 
fectly true.  I  wish  I  could  persuade  them  all  to  turn  to 
the  living  God.'  '  So,  then,'  said  he,  *  you  avow  that  to 
be. your  object? '" 

It  is  remarkable  that,  though  at  the  period  of  this  con- 
versation there  was  undoubtedly  some  risk  in  openly 
avowing,  more  particularly  to  a  Mohammedan,  the  inten- 
tion and  the  earnest  wish  to  convert  the  natives  to  Chris- 
tianity, so  prudent  a  man  as  Swartz  did  not  hesitate  to 
make  such  a  confession.  It  is  at  once  a  striking  proof  of 
the  simplicity  of  his  aim,  and  the  strength  of  his  faith,  and 
of  the  general  confidence  which  the  integrity  and  excel- 
lence of  his  character  had  conciliated,  that  it  was  followed 
by  no  reproach,  and  by  no  attempt  to  interrupt  or  coun- 
teract his  exertions. 

On  the  21st  Swartz  preached,  as  on  the  preceding 
Sunday,  in  Tamul  and  Portuguese,  and  afterwards  ad- 
dressed the  Germans  from  Matthew  ix.  1.  In  the  even- 
ing he  took  his  usual  walk,  accompanied  by  two  Moham- 
medans, who  said,  "The  people'are  fond  of  you."  This 
led  to  a  conversation  respecting  the  grace  of  God,  and  the 
way  in  which  the  forgiveness  of  sin  is  to  be  obtained. 
The  next  day,  having  gone  early  to  the  river,  among  many 
of  the  natives  who  joined  him  one  of  them  said,  "  It  is 
our  fate  to  be  heathens,  and  a  convenient  season  must 
first  arrive  before  we  can  change  our  religion."  "  You 
speak,"  said  he,  "of  blind  fate,  which  you  must  yourself 
acknowledge  to  be  evil,  yet  you  reject  a  better  dispensa- 
tion, against  your  own  knowledge  and  conviction.  Can 
you  suppose  that  the  Almighty,  to  whom  you  will  have  to 
render  an  account,  will  accept  this  as  an  excuse  ?  The 
time  will  come  when  you  will  regret  having  refused  the 
means  of  salvation.  It  is  the  fear  of  men  which  keeps 
you  in  bondage."  To  the  last  observation  they  assented. 

In  the  afternoon  a  large  number  assembled  near  the 
fort  to  hear  him.  One  of  them,  a  lively  young  man,  said, 
"  Show  me  God,  that  I  may  see  him,  and  I  will   become 


142  MEMOIRS  OF 

your  disciple."  Mr.  Swartz  replied,  "  You  speak  like  a 
sick  man,  who  wishes  to  become  well  without  taking  med- 
icine. There  is  a  sure  way  revealed  by  God  himself; 
follow  it,  and  you  toill  see  him.  This  consists  in  self- 
abasement  and  poverty  of  spirit,  in  repentance,  meekness, 
and  humility,  in  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteous- 
ness." He  then  asked  the  young  man  whether  he  would 
choose  this  way.  He  went  away  like  another  mentioned 
in  the  gospel,  acknowledging  that  this  way  was  too  diffi- 
cult. 

The  day  following,  Swartz  met  with  a  learned  Hindoo, 
at  one  of  the  resting  houses,  who  took  him  by  the  hand, 
and  expressed  great  satisfaction  in  seeing  him,  promising 
at  the  same  time  to  be  obedient  to  the  truth,  should  he 
be  convinced  of  it.  Several  sentences  in  the  Tamul  lan- 
guage being  visible  on  the  wall,  the  Hindoo  read  them. 
The  substance  was  nearly  as  follows. 

"  Our  ancestors  have  been  taught  to  observe  many 
ceremonies,  and  have  died.  He  will  be  the  true  priest 
who  can  confer  immortality."  "  What  say  you  to  this," 
said  the  missionary  ?  "Do  you  indeed  desire  true  and 
happy  immortality?  If  so,  you  may  attain  it."  The 
Hindoo  declared  that  the  immortality  he  wished  to  pos- 
sess, consisted  in  being  exempt  from  pain,  sickness,  and 
death,  and,  whenever  he  was  so  inclined,  (such  was  his 
expression,)  in  being  able  to  make  ah  excursion  to  the 
moon.  "  Your  first  care,"  rejoined  Swartz,  "  should  be 
this  :  how,  as  a  poor,  guilty  sinner,  you  may  be  recon- 
ciled to  God."  "  I  know  no  sin,"  he  exclaimed,  "  and 
wish  for  superior  instruction  from  you."  *'  Ah,"  said 
Swartz,  "  I  perceive  that  you  are  full  of  conceit — the 
chief  knowledge  you  want  is  self-knowledge." 

On  the  31st  of  October,  he  left  Tanjore,  and  the  next 
day  arrived  safely  at  Trichinopoly.  On  the  15th  of  No- 
vember he  visited  the  great  mosque,  and  addressed  the 
assembled  Mohammedans  on  the  true  way  of  obtaining 
grace.  Their  legend  respecting  this  mosque,  is,  that  it 
contains  the  remains  of  a  celebrated  fakir  named  Natter, 
distinguished  for  his  extraordinary  miraculous  powers 
displayed  there  about  seven  hundred  years  ago.  It  is 
frequented  by  the  Mohammedans  every  afternoon,  par- 
ticularly on  a  Thursday,  to  worship  God  at  the  tomb  of 
this  pretended  saint.     One  of  the  superintendents  told 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  143 

Mr.  Swartz,  that  "the  annual  income  of  this  temple 
amounted  to  about  two  thousand  rupees,  a  sum  insuf- 
ficient to  support  the  numerous  families  residing  in  its 
vicinity;  which,"  he  added,  "  occasioned  continual  quar- 
rels." Two  Mohammedans,  who  spoke  Persian  very 
fluently,  conversed  with  him,  and  greatly  e.xtoJIed  the 
merit  of  good  works.  Swartz  observed,  "  that  the  real 
foundation  for  the  remission  of  sins  was  Christ's  merit 
and  satisfaction.  I  will  not,"  said  he,  "  detain  you  with 
long  discussions,  as  you  have  just  quoted  the  Persian  pro- 
verb, '  He  who  disputes  loses  every  time  a  drop  of  blood 
from  his  liver.'  I  will,  therefore,  simply  state  the  truth 
as  revealed  to  us  in  the  gospel.  We  are  sinners,  and 
deserve  the  wrath  of  God.  Consider  his  pure  and  holy 
nature.  The  more  we  think  of  God  and  ourselves,  the 
more  we  must  be  convinced,  that  either  we  must  suffer 
ourselves  the  punishment  due  to  our  sins,  or  that  another 
person  duly  qualified  must  endure  it  in  our  stead.  This 
person  is  no  other  than  Jesus  Christ.  God  has  made  him 
to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin  ;  accepting  out  of  infi- 
nite compassion  his  atonement,  which  he  has  sufficiently 
demonstrated  by  his  resurrection.  He  is  now  the  founda- 
tion of  all  grace  ;  so  that  unless  you  seek  through  him 
the  forgiveness  of  your  sins,  the  guilt  will  rest  upon  your- 
selves, and  you  must  bear  the  punishment."  Having 
then  explained  how  the  doctrines  of  repentance,  faith, 
and  godliness,  all  spring  from  this  reconciliation  with  God 
through  Christ,  the  eldest  of  the  Mohammedans,  who  had 
listened  in  silence,  at  length  said,  •'  You  have  it  one  way, 
and  we  another;"  but  the  other  observed,  "  that  Moham- 
med also  taught,  that  Iman,  or  faith,  lies  at  the  foundation 
of  good  works." 

In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Knapp,  dated  Trichiriopoly,  January 
22,  1771,  in  which  he  gives  a  sketch  of  his  proceedings 
during  the  past  year,  Swartz  thus  speaks  of  himself  and 
his  catechists. 

"  By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  fully  determined  implicitly 
to  follow  the  Saviour,  in  whatever  way  it  may  please  him 
to  make  use  of  my  poor  services. 

"God  has  supported  me  and  my  native  assistants  in  a 
very  signal  manner.  The  latter  are  perfectly  well,  and 
zealous  in  prosecuting  the  work  of  God.     There  are  five ; 


144  MEMOIRS  OF 

1st,  Devanesen,  (Theophilus,)  a  man  of  quiet,  peaceable 
disposition  ;  2d,  his  son,  Rayappen,  who  formerly  had 
been  my  servant,  but  conducted  himself  with  so  much 
propriety,  that  I  appointed  him  schoolmaster;  3d,  Saed- 
tinaicken,  a  man  in  his  fiftieth  year,  of  a  very  cheerful 
and  happy  temper,  who  has  a  peculiar  gift  in  conversing 
with  all  kinds  of  people  ;  4th,  Ignasimutta,  thirty  years  of 
age,  who  is  very  anxious  to  make  known  Christ ;  and 
lastly,  Dewasagayam,  whom  I  lately  engaged  on  account 
of  his  piety,  and  ability  in  teaching  others.  Each  re- 
ceives monthly  two  pagodas,  which  is  little  enough  to 
support  themselves  and  their  families.  They  are  a  great 
comfort  to  me,  and  each  of  them  possesses  qualities  which 
render  him  useful  in  his  department.  During  the  last 
year  I  had  many  papists  and  heathens  under  instruction. 
One  of  the  assistants  is  then  always  present  to  teach  the 
catechumens.  'J'he  others  I  send  to  teach  in  the  villages, 
which  they  do  very  willingly.  In  the  afternoons  one  of 
them  accompanies  me  in  my  walks  to  converse  with  the 
natives,  and  he  addresses  Christians  and  heathens  in  my 
presence.  1  have  often  been  surprised  at  the  great  pro-- 
priety  with  which  they  apply  passages  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, to  point  out  the  superiority  of  Christian  doctrine. 

"  In  the  English  school  I  have  forty  children,  who  are 
taught  by^  two  pious  soldiers,  and  I  daily  examine  them 
myself  for  an  hour.  In  the  Malabar  school,  thirty  chil- 
dren, of  whom  twenty-six  receive  a  monthly  gratuity  of 
half  a  rupee.  In  tiie  forenoon  they  are  instructed  in 
reading  and  Christian  knowledge;  in  the  afternoons  they 
are  taught  netting,  that  they  may  be  accustomed  to  some 
employment." 

In  n>entioning  his  journey  to  Tanjore,  in  October  of 
this  year,  Mr.  Swartz  informs  Dr.  Knapp,  that  the  Roman 
Catholics  appeared  to  be  much  excited  by  his  visit,  and 
requested  him  to  hold  a  conference  with  their  Padre  on 
the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  in  their  presence.  To  this 
he  willingly  assented,  laying  down  three  excellent  rules  to 
be  observed  during  the  discussion,  viz.,  that  it  should  be 
conducted  in  the  spirit  of  kindness  and  charity;  that  the 
appeal  should  be  exclusively  to  the  word  of  God;  and  that 
correct  minutes  of  the  argimients  should  be  made  in 
writing,  so  that  the  whole  might  be  reviewed.     When  the 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  145 

day,  however,  appointed  for  the  interview  arrived,  the 
Romish  Padre,  much  to  the  displeasure  of  his  people,  de- 
clined making  his  appearance.  Swariz  contented  himself 
with  expounding  to  those  who  had  assembled,  several 
beautiful  passages  of  Scripture,  such  as  Matt.  v.  1  — 10; 
John  xiv.  6  ;  2  Cor.  iv.  1 ;  1  Tim.  iv.  6 ;  Matt.  ii.  28;  and 
some  of  his  hearers  expressed  their  conviction,  that  if  a 
missionary  were  settled  at  Tanjore,  many  would  attach 
themselves  to  the  truth.  He  concludes  this  letter,  as  he 
did  one  of  nearly  the  same  date  to  the  Society  for  Pro- 
moting Christian  Knowledge,  with  an  earnest  wish  for 
additional  aid  in  his  mission. 

"  The  king,"  he  says,  "  having  once  desired  that  I 
would  settle  at  Tanjore,  it  might  be  well  to  make  the 
attempt.  Who  knows  whether  the  hand  of  God  might 
not  be  with  us,  and  many  be  relieved  from  their  wretched 
state  ? 

"  Had  I  a  colleague  here,  I  might  be  absent  for  some 
months.  But  if  any  thing  be  done  in  Tanjore,  a  mission- 
ary must  be  constantly  resident  there.  I  have  mentioned 
the  subject  to  the  honorable  society.  May  God  in  his 
mercy  for  Christ's  sake  direct  all  things  to  the  glory  of  his 
name ! " 


13 


146  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Letter  to  Mr.  Chambers  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  1771 — 
The  convert  NyAnapracdsam — Progress  of  the  mission — Death  of 
a  pious  English  soldier — Residence  at  Trichinopoly — Letters  to 
Mr.  Chambers — Attack  by  the  Nabob  and  the  English  on  Tanjore 
— Peace  restored — Swartz's  allusion  to  these  events — Violence  of 
the  Roman  Catholics  against  Nydnapracisani — The  conduct  of 
Mr.  Swartz  upon  this  occasion — His  preservation  from  an  explo- 
sion of  the  powder  magazine  in  the  fort — His  reflections  on  the 
event — Conversion  of  Sattianaden,  and  of  a  very  aged  man — Visit 
to  Tanjore — Interview  with  the  Rajah — Performs  the  marriage 
ceremony  in  the  palace — Account  of  this,  and  of  the  Rajah — 
Letters  to  Mr.  Chambers  respecting  one  of  his  former  servants,  a 
convert  to  Christianity — Swartz  declines  an  invitation  from  the 
Rajah  for  a  political  object. 

The  record  of  Mr.  Swartz's  proceedings  during  the  year 
1771,  cannot  be  more  appropriately  commenced  than  by 
the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — This  is  the  first  letter  I  write  you 
this  new  year.  O  may  Jesus  be  glorified  in  yonr  precious 
soul,  so  as  to  be  your  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctificalion, 
and  redemption  !  We  were  reading  and  meditating  this 
evening  on  Col.  ii.,  wherein  Jesus  is  set  forth  as  our 
all— the  sum,  the  centre,  and  fountain  of  all  our  bliss. 
"Whatsoever  we  want  we  find  in  him  ;  and  are,  as  the 
apostle  says,  '  complete  in  him.'  In  him  we  are  circum- 
cised, by  putting  away  the  body  of  sin,  which  is  the  true 
spiritual  circumcision  ;  in  him  we  are  buried,  by  being 
baptized  in  his  name;  in  him  we  are  raised  from  the  dead, 
by  believing  in  him,  and  his  divine  resurrection  ;  by  him 
we  are  quickened  with  a  true  sense  of  the  paternal  favor 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  147 

of  God,  having  our  sins  pardoned.  If,  then,  we  have  all 
in  our  divine  Redeemer,  how  just  and  comfortable  is  the 
conclusion,  that  we  are  not  to  look  out  for  any  happiness 
in  the  new  moons,  &c.  Why  should  we  run  to  the 
shadow,  having  and  possessing  the  body?  Why  should 
we  complain  of  want  of  comfort  or  strength,  having  Jesus? 
Let  us  stir  up  one  another  to  a  faithful  adhering  to  the 
fountain  of  all  our  bliss.  But  let  us  receive  him  entirely 
as  our  all — love,  serve,  and  glorify  him  as  such  by  our 
whole  life.  Amen,  be  it  so  !  May  this  year  prove  to  us 
both,  and  to  our  friends,  a  year  of  blessing,  and  peace, 
and  strength!" 

During  the  whole  of  this  year,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  days,  Swartz  held  preparatory  catechetical  lectures 
from  eight  till  eleven  o'clock,  and  observes  in  his  journal, 
that  many  of  the  catechumens  occasioned  him  much  joy. 
Among  tliose  who  attended  his  first  preparation  was  the 
young  Pandaram,*  who  had  been  so  anxiously  in  pursuit 
of  religious  truth,  and  who  had  so  ingenuously  resolved 
on  listening  to  his  instructions.  "  To  me  and  all  the 
catechists,"  says  Swartz,  "  he  has  been  a  real  joy.  His 
desire  after  the  word  of  God,  and  his  sincere  love  of 
prayer,  as  well  as  his  kind  and  charitable  disposition,  have 
been  clearly  evinced.  An  officer  who  is  sick,  told  me 
that  he  heard  him  pray  every  night  about  twelve  o'clock 
for  an  hour  together  ;  a  custom  which  in  the  simplicity  of 
his  mind  he  has  since  continued."  This  young  man,  who 
was  of  a  good  caste,  received  at  his  baptism  the  name  of 
Nyanapracasam,  (spiritual  light,)  and  was  added  as  a 
sixth  to  the  number  of  the  catechists. 

This  year  the  aged  Schinappen,  one  of  the  first  con- 
verts at  Trichinopoly,  by  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Kohlhoff, 
had  the  gratification  of  seeing  all  his  relatives,  with  their 
families,  attend  Svvartz's  preparation  as  catechumens. 
Many  instances  of  conversion  amongst  the  Roman  Cath- 
olics and  heathens  occurred,  the  sincerity  of  which  was 
strikingly  proved  by  resistance  to  every  species  of  allure- 
ment and  persecution.  "  The  increase  in  the  congrega- 
tion," he  observes,  "  has  been  greater  than  in  the  pre- 
ceding year,  one  hundred  and  forty  persons  in  all  having 

*  See  page  133. 


148  MEMOIRS   OF 

been  added  to  it.  We  have  also  remarked  more  of  the 
work  of  God  in  the  hearts  of  the  catechumens,  which 
has  encouraged  us  cheerfully  to  persevere.  The  Lord 
strengthen  us  daily  in  faith,  love,  and  hope,  that  we  may 
go  on  from  strength  to  strength,  and  zealously  promote 
his  work  in  humility  of  heart,  and  dependence  on  his 
blessing  !" 

Among  the  English  soldiers,  the  blessing  of  God  had 
been  remarkably  evident  ;  and  the  little  company  of  the 
sincerely  pious  and  devoted,  which  had  increased  to  thirty, 
were  eminently  useful  both  in  visiting  the  sick,  and  in 
accrediting  and  adorning  the  profession  of  Christianity  in 
the  estimation  of  all  around  them.  An  interesting  me- 
morial of  the  death  of  one  of  those  pious  men  is  recorded 
in  Swartz's  journal.  The  first  of  them  was  an  English- 
man, who  had  during  several  years  lived  as  a  true  Chris- 
tian. "There  was  a  manliness,"  he  says,  "  in  his  whole 
deportment.  The  Gospel  of  Christ  was  precious  to  him, 
and  produced  a  settled  peace  and  holy  courage  in  his 
heart.  This  year  he  became  sick.  His  pious  companions 
visited  him  diligently.  His  mind  was  perfectly  composed, 
and  he  longed  for  the  holy  communion,  which  was  admin- 
istered to  his  edification.  Some  hours  before  his  death, 
I  visited  him,  and  found  him  in  a  most  happy  frame. 
'  My  sins,'  said  he,  *  are  forgiven  me  of  God  for  Christ's 
sake  ;  my  heart  has  rest  and  peace  ;  the  enemy  has  no 
power  over  me.  I  look  forward  with  complacency  to  a 
blessed  eternity.  I  would  not  exchange  with  the  king  of 
England.  O  the  poor  world,  that  it  could  but  reflect 
what  a  blessed  thing  Christianity  is  !'  Then  turning  to 
me,  he  said,  'And  I  thank  you,  my  friend,  for  having 
made  Jesus  Christ  known  to  me.' 

"  At  last  he  repeated  several  times  that  beautiful  sen- 
tence, '  Into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit ;  thou  hast 
redeemed  me,  O  Lord  God  of  truth  ! '  " 

His  residence  at  Trichinopoly  was,  indeed,  an  interest- 
ing spot.  Daily  he  assembled  his  catechists,  who  were 
not  on  stations  too  remote,  and  instructed  them  how  to 
explain  the  truths  of  Christianity,  and  to  address  the 
natives  in  a  mild  and  winning  manner ;  "  Trying,"  to 
adopt  his  own  expressions,  "  whether  they  might  not  be 
so  happy  as  to  bring  some  of  their  wandering  fellow 
creatures  into  the  way  of  truth."     In  the  morning,  the 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  149 

catechists  joined  with  him  in  prayer,  and  in  meditating 
on  the  word  of  God  ;  after  which  every  one  was  directed 
whither  to  go  that  day.  In  the  evening,  they  gave  an 
account  of  their  labors,  and  the  day  closed  as  it  began, 
with  meditation  and  prayer.  During  the  day,  many  of 
the  natives,  of  various  ranks,  came  to  visit  and  converse 
with  him,  as  well  as  officers  of  the  garrison,  who  esteemed 
his  character,  and  courted  his  society.  The  widow  of  one 
of  them,*  who  still  survives,  and  at  whose  table  Swartz 
was  a  welcome  guest,  bears  the  following  pleasing  testi- 
mony to  him. 

"  No  time  can  efface  the  remembrance  of  that  remark- 
able man  :  more  than  half  a  century  is  since  gone  over 
my  head  ;  yet  his  features,  his  sweetness  of  temper,  and 
kind  and  courteous  manners,  are  still  before  me  ;  his  in- 
formation was  great  and  various,  and  whether  he  spoke 
of  religion  or  of  the  world,  it  was  delightful  to  listen 
to  him." 

The  two  following  letters  continue  his  pious  and  inter- 
esting correspondence  with  Mr.  Chambers. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — I  have  received  your  kind  letter, 
and  praise  God  for  all  the  blessings  he  bestows  on  you, 
and  for  all  the  assistance  he  vouchsafes  you  in  difficult 
circumstances.  This  evening  we  were  edifyinw  ourselves 
with  Rev.  vii.  wherein  we  read  of  the  great  number  of 
those  that  were  sealed,  standing  before  the  throne,  clothed 
in  white  robes  and  palms  in  their  hands.  O  may  we 
always  be  found  in  the  white  robes  of  the  innocence  and 
righteousness  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  and  may  we  in 
his  strength  be  able  to  conquer  all  the  temptations  we  find 
ourselves  surrounded  with  every  day  1  It  is  altogether 
cheering  to  consider  that  such  vile  and  corrupted  creatures 
as  we  are,  shall  be  adorned  in  so  splendid  a  manner,  and 
that  in  the  strength  of  our  Saviour  we,  who  are  so  frail, 
shall  become  conquerors.  See  how  the  angels  and  elders, 
and  the  four  living  creatures  bless  and  praise  God,  ascrib- 
ing to  him  all  power,  glory,  and  thanksgiving.  Let  us 
join  with  them,  every  day  giving  all  glory  to  him  !  Amen, 
be  it  so ! 

'*  Concerning  the  boy  Jacob,  I  can  say  so  much,  that 

*  General  Home. 

13* 


150  MEMOIRS   OF 

within  a  year  and  a  half  we  have  observed  nothing  of  that 
childish  or  trifling  behavior,  so  common  amongst  those 
people,  (the  Indo-Portuguese ;)  but  then  I  must  likewise 
confess,  that  I  have  not  observed  real  Christianity.  He 
attends  religious  exercises,  but  the  power  of  godliness  I 
cannot  observe.  I  have  often  talked  to  him  privately, 
laying  before  him  the  danger,  and  my  apprehension,  of 
his  falling  into  the  same  vices  with  other  Portuguese. 
But  he  has  assured  me  that  he  hoped  God  would  preserve 
him.  This  is  all  I  can  say  of  him.  May  the  Spirit  of 
Jesus  draw  his  heart  to  a  sincere  conversion!  I  have 
not  mentioned  a  syllable  of  your  intention  to  him.  Do 
now  as  God  guides  you.  Be  happy  in  him,  who  doth  and 
will  love  you. 
"  Trichinopol}',  Maj  11,  1771." 

The  next  letter  contains  an  animated  exposition  of  St. 
Paul's*  eloquent  description  of  the  Christian  panoply  ;  a 
passage  of  scripture  peculiarly  adapted  lo  the  situation  of 
Christians  like  Swartz  and  his  correspondent,  amidst  the 
strong  holds  of  the  prince  of  darkness. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Though  I  have  not  written  to  you 
for  some  time,  you  are  in  my  thoughts,  I  may  say,  every 
day.  I  wish  and  pray  that  you  may  '  be  strong  in  the 
Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his  might.'  Without  him  we 
are  nothing,  and  can  do  nothing.  But  being  united  to 
him  and  his  Spirit,  we  shall  be  strong  so  as  to  gain  the 
victory  over  all  our  enemies.  This  strength,  which  comes 
from  our  Lord,  we  need  every  day  and  hour,  on  account 
of  our  enemies.  '  For  we  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and 
blood,'  or  weak  men  only,  '  but  against  principalities, 
against  powers,  against  the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of 
this  world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places.' 
St.  Paul  describes  the  enemies,  their  power  and  malice, 
in  a  true,  that  is,  terrible  manner,  not  to  frighten,  but  to 
rouse  us  to  earnestness.  Slothfulness  will  not  do ;  a  holy 
zeal  is  absolutely  necessary  in  order  to  overcome  such 
powerful  and  cunning  enemies. 

"  Let  us  '  stand,  therefore,  having  our  loins  girt  about 
with  truth.'     The  truth   of  the   gospel,  particularly  con- 

*  Ephes.  vi.  10—18. 


TI-IE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  151 

cerning  the  Author  of  our  salvation,  is  like  a  girdle,  that 
will  keep  close,  and,  as  it  were,  unite  our  strength.  As 
soon  as  we  let  go  the  truth  we  loose  our  girdle,  and  are 
like  to  dissipate  our  strength.  But  as  the  principal  truth 
of  the  gospel  concerneth  the  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ, 
let  us,  above  all,  take  and  put  on  that  perfect  righteous- 
ness as  a  '  breastplate,'  which  covers  our  breast,  and 
screens  our  conscience,  so  that  no  accusation  or  condem- 
nation can  reach  and  disturb  it.  And  as  the  gospel 
contains  and  sets  forth  that  glorious  righteousness  of 
Christ,  let  our  '  feet  be  shod  with  the  preparation  of 
peace.'  When  our  enemies  deride  our  relying  on  the 
righteousness  of  Christ,  and  ask  us  from  whence  we  have 
it,  let  us  say,  '  So  it  is  written.'  The  gospel  is  our  ar- 
mory. And  whereas  our  enemies  not  only  seduce  but 
likewise  threaten  ;  let  us,  in  that  case,  take  '  the  shield 
of  faith,'  and  trust  in  the  providence  of  our  heavenly 
Father.  Our  faith  in  the  goodness,  power,  and  veracity 
of  God,  is  our  shield,  by  which  we  keep  off,  nay,  'quench 
the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked.'  The  glorious  promises, 
scattered  up  and  down  in  the  word  of  God,  relating  to  his 
providence  and  his  preservation  of  his  children,  and  that 
all  shall  turn  to  their  welfare,  those  pacify  our  hearts. 
Nay,  and  if  we  suffer  here,  let  us  look  up  to  that  great 
salvation,  which  shall  be,  in  a  short  time,  our  lot ;  let  us 
use  it  as  a  '  helmet  on  our  head,  that  we  may  not  faint.' 
And  if  our  enemies  will  entangle  and  perplex  us  with 
their  sophistical  and  knotty  questions,  let  us  take  '  the 
sword  of  ihe  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God,'  and  cut 
them  all  asunder.  And  lastly,  in  our  cheerful  confidence, 
let  us  never  be  proud,  but  maintain  that  most  necessary 
poverty  of  spirit,  '  praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  sup- 
plication in  the  Spirit.'  What  divine  arms  are  here 
offered  to  us  !  To  know  and  consider  them  is  good  ;  but 
to  put  them  on  and  use  them,  is  infinitely  better.  The 
primitive  Christians  used  those  arms  in  a  very  manly 
manner.  O  that  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ  would  enable 
us  to  become  true  and  faithful  soldiers  of  our  Lord  !  Let 
us  entreat  him  to  strengthen  us  daily  and  hourly,  till  the 
whole  conflict  is  over  ;  and  we  can  say,  '  It  is  finished ; 
I  have  fought  a  good  fight.' 

"  Salute  all  our  friends,  and  particularly  Mr.  Toriano. 
I  hope  to  write  him  a  line  next  Monday. 

**  For  the  excellent  eight  handkerchiefs  sent  me  by 


152  MEMOIRS  OF 

Mr.  O ,   I  thank  you  kindly ;  likewise  for  the  book 

you  have  bought  for  that  truly  Christian  soldier.  He 
goes  under  the  name  of  Bishop  Powers.  This  man  prays 
so  well,  walks  so  circumspectly,  and  preaches  so  effectu- 
ally to  his  fellow  soldiers,  that  I  rejoice  when  I  see  him. 
He  is  now  at  the  Coleroon,  but  he  has  heard  of  your  kind 
present. 

"  As  Colonel  Flint  has  paid  me  one  hundred  star 
pagodas  belonging  to  Captain  H.'s  widow  and  orphans,  I 
have  ventured  to  send  them,  in  hope  you  will  take  them, 
as  you  have  the  other  money. 

"  I  should  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  could  send  me  a 
pair  of  green  spectacles — my  eyes  seem  to  want  some 
help.* 

"  Here  all  is  full  of  rumor  of  war,  and  it  seems  they 
will  march  against  Tanjore,  as  it  likewise  seems  that  the 
king  is  resolved  to  receive  them.  I  am  sorry — poor  king 
— he  may  lose  all !  How  wonderful  is  the  way  of  God  ! 
He  is  the  supreme  governor.  May  divine  grace,  peace 
and  strength  attend  you  in  all  your  ways  ! 
'•  Trichinopoly,  August  10, 1771." 

The  war  to  which  Swartz  alludes  at  the  close  of  his 
letter,  was  occasioned  by  an  attack  which  the  rajah  of 
Tanjore  had  made  early  in  the  year  on  the  polygar  of  one 
of  the  Marawars.  These  being  alleged  to  be  dependen- 
cies of  the  Carnatic,  the  nabob  appealed  to  the  government 
of  Madras  as  guarantees  of  the  treaty  between  him  and 
the  rajah,  and  urged  them  to  insist  on  the  latter  relin- 
quishing his  design  against  Marawar.  The  real  object  of 
the  nabob  was,  doubtless,  to  embrace  the  opportunity  of 
becoming  possessed  of  Tanjore,  to  which,  however,  he 
had  not  the  shadow  of  a  claim,  except  in  his  own  unjust 
and  inordinate  ambition.  But  as  the  history  of  such  dis- 
putes forms  no  part  of  the  purpose  of  these  memoirs,  it 
will  be  sufficient  to  observe,  that  the  king  of  Tanjore  re- 
fusing, or  at  least  hesitating,  to  comply  with  the  demands 
of  the  nabob,  the  English  army,  under  General  Smith, 
marched  from  Trichinopoly  about  the  12th  of  September, 
and  on  the  IGth  arrived  before  Wallam,t   a  fortress  of 

*  An  increasing  affection  of  the  eyes  a  few  years  afterwards  ren- 
dered writing  painful  to  him,  and  gradually  abridged  his  correspon- 
dence. 

t  Or  Vellum. — Mill's  History  of  British  India,  vol.  iv.  p.  84. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  153 

considerable  strength,  and  one  of  the  bulwarks  of  Tanjore. 
The  battery  was  not  ready  till  the  morning  of  the  20th ; 
but  towards  evening  the  garrison  abandoned  the  fort.  On 
the  23d  the  army  again  marched  and  encamped  before 
Tanjore.  The  operations  proceeded  slowly,  but  a  strong 
sally  was  successfully  repulsed  by  the  British  troops,  ana 
on  the  27th  of  October,  when  the  engineers  reported  that 
a  breach  would  be  practicable  the  next  morning,  the 
nabob's  eldest  son,  Onidut  ul  Omra,  signed  a  treaty  of 
peace  with  the  rajah,  and  hostilities  for  the  present  ceased. 
It  is  to  these  events  that  Mr,  Svvartz  refers  in  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  Mr,  Chambers, 

"  J\Iy  dear  Friend, — Your  very  agreeable  letter  I  have 
received.  Blessed  be  God  for  all  his  mercies  bestowed 
upon  us,  in  spiritual  and  temporal  concerns.  His  ways 
are  loving  kindness  and  truth.  Whatever  he  doth,  he 
doth  it  to  our  welfare;  and  that  according  to  his  promises, 
to  fulfil  them,  and  convince  us  that  he  is  faithful.  So  he 
establisheth  a  well-grounded  faith  in  us  in  a  practical 
method,  which  is  far  preferable  to  the  speculative  one. 
All  his  dealings  with  us  tend  to  work  or  strengthen  that 
divine  principle  of  faith  in  us.  Consider  the  Psalms  in 
that  view,  and  you  will  admire,  as  I  hope  you  have  done 
already,  the  glorious  footsteps  of  divine  Providence — 
Providence  I  a  word  often  used,  or  rather  abused,  by  an 
unthinking  world,  is  sweet  to  all  those  who  have  an 
interest  in  the  favor  of  God  through  Jesus  Christ.  David 
was  a  pious  and  attentive  observer  of  the  ways  of  God. 
Let  us  do  the  same  ;  and  we  shall  find  much  comfort  and 

strength  by  so  doing.     Our  poor  friend  Mr, !  alas,  I 

am  truly  sorry  for  his  circumstances.  I  am  loth  to  judge 
of  him  in  a  rash  manner;  and  still  I  cannot  help  thinking, 
that  had  his  heart  been  better  grounded  in  humility,  he 
might  have  been  very  serviceable  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 
and  avoided  those  things  which  have  hurt  him  and  others. 
Steadfistness  is  a  noble  quality,  but  unguided  by  knowledge 
and  humility,  it  becomes  rashness.  May  God  be  his  guide 
and  comfort  in  those  dark  circumstances!  I  could  heartily 
wish  he  would  converse  again  with  his  friends.  Who 
knows  how  God  might  alter  things? 

"  The  Tanjore  affairs  begin  to  grow  serious.  There  is 
a  little  fort  near  Tanjore,  Wallam,  which  was  battered 


154  MEMOIRS   OF 

yesterday.*  We  heard  the  report  of  the  guns  very 
plainly.  What  shall  we  say  to  these  things?  Your  ob- 
servation is  very  just ;  and  I  think,  that  if  any  one  of  our 
Christians  had  Christianity  enough  to  take  himt  by  the 
hand,  he  would,  perhaps,  have  hearkened.  But  we  want 
something  else — Eheu  !  Let  us  observe  even  in  this 
affair  the  footsteps  of  Providence ;  how  things  will  end, 
and  what  will  be  the  effects  of  them.  For  nothing,  God 
would  never  have  permitted  it.  Idolatry  in  the  Tanjore 
country  is  very  deeply  rooted ;  and  to  overthrow  it  grad- 
ually, who  knows  but  God  may  use  the  present  affliction? 
We  pray,  and  will  pray,  '  Thy  kingdom  come,'  to  us,  to 
all,  to  Tanjore.     Amen. 

"  P.  S. — This  letter  I  wrote  yesterday.  To-day  we 
hear  that  Wallam  is  taken,  or  rather,  evacuated  by  the 
Tanjourians." 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Your  last  favor  of  the  19th  instant 

I  have  received.     Concerning  Mr. 's  dismission,  your 

and  my  final  remark  is  almost  the  same.  This  will  in  all 
likelihood  open  his  eyes  to  treat  other  people  with  more 
decency,  even  when  he  tells  them  nothing  but  the  truth. 
I  hope  a  wise  God  will  bring  some  good  out  of  that  catas- 
trophe. Whatever  we  do,  let  us  do  it  with  humility,  and 
submit  the  whole  to  God,  who  can  mend  and  rectify  what 
is  amiss.  When  I  read  the  evangelists,  particularly  the 
speeches  of  our  Saviour  to  his  disciples  towards  the  latter 
end  of  his  ministry,  I  tliink  they  consist  mostly  of  admo- 
nitions to  kuiuiliti/.  And  when  we  consider  how  long 
God  has  borne  with  us,  I  think  we  should  not  soon  lose 
patience  when  we  endeavor  to  mend  others.  Yesterday 
we  treated,  in  church,  of  Eph.  iv.  I — 6.  To  walk  worthy 
of  our  vocation,  or  calling,  how  necessary  !  And  in  order 
to  do  so,  humility  is  placed  in  the  front.  Meekness  fol- 
lows as  a  consequence,  and  forbearance.  The  example 
of  God  and  of  Christ  is  proposed  to  our  imitation.  O  may 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  lead  and  strengthen  us  at  all  times! 

"  The  Tanjore  affair  is  almost  every  hour  in  my  mind. 
The  army  lies  now  encamped  before  it ;  not  far  from 
Captain  Berg's  house.     When  I   pray,  I   know  not  what 

*  This  letter  is  without  date,  t  Doubtless  the  king. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  I55 

to  say.  All  I  can  say  is,  '  Thy  will  be  done  ! '  Who 
knows  what  God  intends  by  this  judgment,  for  the  prop- 
agation of  his  kingdom  !  Farewell,  my  dear  friend,  and 
remember  me  before  God,  that  to  me  may  be  given  more 
grace,  strength,  and  sincerity,  in  publishing  the  glad 
tidings  of  the  salvation. 

"At  present  we  have  here  a  philosopher*  in  the  pre- 
paration. He  finds  the  doctrine  of  Christians  difficult, 
because  he  is  void  of  humility.  His  wife  is  more  teach- 
able, and  seems  to  be  of  a  humble  heart.  He  is  of  the 
merchant  caste.  His  son-in-law  has  left  him,  which  he 
bears  tolerably  ;  his  wife  better. 
"  Trichinopoly,  Sept.  26, 1771." 

"  My  dear  Friend, — As  I  am  sure  you  have  prayed  to 
God  to  bring  the  affair  of  the  war  to  a  happy  end ;  so  I 
think  myself  obliged  and  very  happy  in  giving  you  the 
glad  news  of  an  accommodation,  which  has  taken  place. 
To-day  every  thing  is  to  be  settled.  No  doubt  to-morrow 
we  shall  hear  more  of  all  the  articles.  Blessed  be  God ! 
It  would  have  been  a  bloody  affair  if  the  fort  had  been 
stormed.  We  have  lost  a  great  number  of  Europeans 
and  sepoys;  the  Tanjourians  likewise.  How  easily  is 
human  blood  shed,  and  lives  thrown  away  ! 

"  By  the  mercy  of  God  we  stand  and  are  preserved. 
By  Him  only ;  for  if  the  enemy  had  power,  he  had 
swallowed  us  up  long  ago.  Last  Sunday  happened  a 
peculiar  case  to  us.  A  young  man  who  came  to  us  with 
his  father  and  mother,  six  months  ago,  grew  in  true 
wisdom ;  and  besides  showed  a  truly  Christian  spirit, 
almost  above  any  of  our  catechists.  The  Roman  Cath- 
olic people  have  tried  to  delude  him  by  persuasion, 
bribes,  and  at  last  threatenings.  All  proving  ineffectual, 
they  fell  twenty  or  more  of  them  upon  the  young  man  last 
Sunday,  and  nearly  killed  him.  "For  three  hours  the  poor 
creature  was  senseless.  I  heard  it  at  ten  o'clock,  but 
could  not  go  to  see  him  till  twelve.  I  went  with  the 
doctor,  and  found   him  senseless;  but  after  bleeding  he 


*  la  this  and  in  several  other  letters,  Jlr.  Swartz  introduces  the 
original  Taniul  words,  with  which  his  friend  Mr.  Chambers  was 
perfectly  familiar.  Translations  of  them,  by  an  eminent  oriental 
scholar,  are  hero  inserted. 


156  "  MEMOIRS  OF 

came  to  himself.  His  chest  is  miserably  hurt.  The 
occasion  was  shortly  this :  one  of  the  young  man's  near 
relations  came  from  the  country  and  fell  sick.  In  his 
sickness  he  called  for  this  young  man,  Nyanapracasam, 
who  was  reading  to  him  and  praying  with  him  three  days. 
In  the  course  of  Saturday  night  he  died.  Then  came 
the  papists  to  bury  him  ;  but  seeing  this  young  man,  de- 
sired him  to  go  away  on  account  of  his  having  received 
the  Parreiar  law.  He  replied,  '  If  your  catechist  comes 
and  tells  me  so,  I  will  go.'  As  soon  as  the  catechist 
came,  he  struck  the  young  man  with  his  slippers,  and 
then  all  fell  on  him,  dragging  him  through  the  street. 
The  heathens  cried  out,  '  Will  you  murder  the  young 
man?'  They  are  of  their  father  the  devil,  and  the  pope. 
However,  the  young  man  praiseth  God,  and  is  not  dismayed. 
He  is  still  very  sick — Pray  for  us. 
"Trichinopoly,  Oct.  22,  1771." 

"My  dear  Friend, — At  present  being  confined  at  home 
by  some  showers  of  rain,  I  take  my  pen  to  write  you  a 
line  or  two.  By  the  upholding  mercy  of  God,  I  and  my 
assistants  are  tolerably  well.  The  affair  of  the  Romish 
people  has  given  me  some  trouble  ;  it  has  occasioned  at 
least  some  loss  of  time.  They  applied  to  the  nabob's  son, 
who  was  glad  to  take  the  matter  into  his  hands.  I  was 
quite  resolved  to  drop  the  affair,  after  some  admonitions  to 
peace  and  quietness  ;  but  they  threw  themselves  upon  the 
nabob,  who,  as  it  appears,  has  squeezed  them.  They  have 
not  been  afraid  of  threatening  me  with  the  worst  things ; 
but  my  security  is  in  God  my  support.  The  padre  sends 
presents  to  the  general  and  all  the  head  people.  I  have 
been  quiet.  It  would  have  been  folly  in  me  to  expect  any 
thing  from  those  who,  in  all  respects,  side  with  '  the 
beast.' 

"  Mr.  Gericke  has  informed  me  of  your  kind  present  of 
a  pair  of  spectacles,  &c.,  which  he  will  send  by  the  first 
opportunity.  Mr.  Fabricius  writes  me  that  my  salary  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pagodas  is  payable  on  the 
6th  of  December.  I  have  desired  him  to  pay  it  to  you. 
My  intention  is  to  put  into  your  hands  two  hundred  and 
fifty  pagodas;  and,  if  agreeable  to  you,  to  take  the  accus- 
tomed interest,  in  order  to  maintain  one  catechist  from  it. 
Let  me  know  whether  you  agree  with  my  proposal. 


THE   REV.   C.  F.  SWARTZ.  157 

"  Yesterday  we  treated  of  the  day  of  judgment.  O 
may  our  life  be  nothing  but  a  preparation  for  that  awful 
day  !  May  we  have  that  unspeakably  joyful  sentence, 
'  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom 
which  has  been  prepared  for  you.'  If  Jesus  is  our  friend, 
we  have  nothing  to  fear  ;  for  he  it  is  that  is  appointed  to 
be  our  judge.  To  his  kind  care  and  blessing  I  commend 
you  and  your  concerns. 
'•'  Tri'chinopoly,  Nov.  25,  1771." 

The  conduct  of  Swartz  upon  the  occasion  detailed  in 
the  preceding  letter,  which  was  so  much  calculated  to 
excite  his  own  indignation,  as  well  as  to  discourage  the 
native  converts,  affords  a  striking  proof  both  of  his  Chris- 
tian meekness  and  wisdom.  His  catechists  were  naturally 
anxious  that  he  should  prosecute  the  affair  to  the  utmost ; 
but  he  well  knew  how  hopeless  it  was  to  expect  justice  in 
such  a  case  from  Mohammedans,  and  rightly  judged,  as 
experience  afterwards  proved,  that  the  violence  of  the 
Papists  would  probably  disgust  not  only  their  own  adhe- 
rents, but  even  the  heathen  themselves,  and  thus  tend, 
as  in  the  days  of  primitive  persecution,  '  to  the  further- 
ance of  the  gospel  ;'  while  the  patient  endurance  of  the 
cross  would  no  less  contribute  to  strengthen  and  animate 
his  own  followers.  This  truly  wise  and  Christian  view  of 
the  subject  is  evident  in  his  next  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers, 
in  which,  after  briefly,  but  emphatically  noticing  his  in- 
cessant labors,  he  resumes,  and  beautifully  concludes  it. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — After  a  long  silence,  I  take  the 
pen  to  write  you  a  line  or  two.  I  hope  you  are  convinced 
that,  though  I  am  sparing  in  writing,  I  am  not  in  re- 
membering you.  Hitherto  my  engagements  have  been 
so  close  one  upon  another,  that  I  had  almost  710  time  for 
private  study,  except  the  night  time. 

"  In  my  last  I  mentioned  the  proceedings  of  Madur  ul 
Mulk,*  concerning  the  abused  Christians.  It  happened 
as  I  imagined.  He  began  to  inquire  ;  but  as  he  found 
the  other  party  alone  guilty,  he  desisted,  and  let  them  go. 
He  promised   afterwards  to  give  me  in  writing  that   they 

*  One  of  the  nabob's  younger  sons,  who  was  his  representative  at 
Trichinopoly. 

14 


158  MEMOIRS  OF 

should  do  so  no  more  ;  but  even  that  he  has  not  kept. 
However,  I  am  not  very  sorry.  Our  help  cometh,  and  must 
come,  from  another  quarter.  If  God  be  with  us,  who  will 
be  against  us  ?  Neither  do  I  think  that  the  blasphemies 
of  the  Papists  will  do  us  any  harm.  Even  now  is  a  family 
in  the  preparation,  which  was  threatened  to  be  turned 
out  of  their  tribe  ;  but  the  young  man  and  his  mother 
answered  with  a  good  deal  of  courage.  Another  before 
him  argued  the  case  with  them  with  equal  courage.  I 
could  relate  many  more  things  ;  but  you  know  the  nature 
of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  It  was  and  is  disliked  and 
hated  ;  and  every  one  who  desireth  to  be  a  genuine  dis- 
ciple of  Jesus,  must  bear  the  cross  :  and  by  doing  so,  he 
never  will  be  a  loser.  Blessed  be  God  for  his  unspeak- 
able mercy  in  revealing  his  divine  will,  and  strengthening 
us  to  do  it !  Our  condition  here  is  much  the  same  as  I 
mentioned  in  my  last.  Amongst  the  officers  is  less  desire 
to  frequent  divine  service  than  when  you  were  here.  The 
cause  is  plain.  O  !  they  know  not  what  belongs  to  their 
peace. 

"  May  Jesus  Christ  and  the  blessings  of  the  redemption 
become  more  and  more  precious  to  you  ;  may  you  hence 
have  peace  and  joy  ;  may  you,  by  him,  grow  in  all  Chris- 
tian virtues  ! 

"  Trichinopoly,  Feb.  1, 1772." 

Within  a  fortnight  after  the  date  of  the  preceding  letter, 
Swartz  gratefully  acknowledges  his  preservation  from  the 
effects  of  a  lamentable  event,  which  proved  fatal  to  many 
around  him.  This  was  the  explosion  of  the  powder 
magazine  in  the  fort,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  14th  of 
February.  "  By  this  calamity,"  he  writes,  "  many  Euro- 
peans were  killed  and  wounded,  and  a  much  greater 
number  of  the  natives.  The  whole  street  was  covered 
with  the  massive  stones,  of  which  the  magazine  was  con- 
structed, with  men  prostrated  beneath  them.  Besides  the 
powder  which  exploded,  a  multitude  of  shells  and  car- 
tridges descended  like  hail."  The  windows  of  his  house 
were  shattered,  and  several  balls  flew  into  the  room  next 
him  ;  but  amidst  the  surrounding  danger,  both  he,  his 
catechists,  school-children,  and  members  of  his  congrega- 
tion, providentially  escaped  unhurt.  It  is  to  this  that  he 
refers  in  the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  159^ 

"  My  dear  Friend, — By  this  time  I  suppose  you  are  suf- 
ficiently informed  of  that  divine  judgment  executed  by  a 
holy  God  on  this  sinful  place.  I  will  not,  therefore, 
enlarge  upon  it,  but  bless  God  for  his  divine  protection 
which  he  vouchsafed  me,  the  children,  and  congregation. 
Human  chastisements  are  trifles  when  compared  with 
divine  ones.  Well  may  we  stir  up  one  another  to  fear 
God  as  well  as  to  love  him.  So  many  hundred  souls  sent 
into  eternity,  without  a  moment's  warning,  with  all  their 
sins  about  them — how  terrible  !  No  doubt  many  were 
amongst  those  unhappy  people,  who  dreamed  of  repenting 
lo-morrow.  May  we  be  wise,  and  employ  the  present 
time  to  the  best  of  purposes  !  May  we  never  slumber, 
lest  the  bridegroom  come  at  midnight,  and  find  us  sleep- 
ing. Blessed  are  those  that  wake,  and  keep  their  gar- 
ments undefiled  ! 

"  This  I  write  just  before  I  go  to  Tanjore.  Pray  for 
me,  and  those  that  may  hear  the  word  of  God.  I  wished 
Mr.  Gericke  might  come  here  for  some  months  ;  but  that 
seems  impracticable.  '  The  harvest  truly  is  great,  but 
the  laborers  kw.'  O  that  God  would  stir  up  many  to 
come  and  help  !  We  wait  upon  thee,  O  God.  Let  us 
not  be  put  to  confusion.  The  enemy  is  at  present  fierce. 
May  God  strengthen  us  !  I  remain  yours,  in  the  Lord. 
"  Trichinopoly,  March  3, 1772." 

At  the  commencement  of  this  year,  Mr.  Swartz  not 
only  preached  the  gospel  in  Trichinopoly  and  the  neighbor- 
ing villages,  but  sent  out  his  catechists,  generally  two 
together,  to  more  distant  places,  where  their  labors  were 
more  than  usually  successful.  Among  the  converts  who 
were  at  this  period  added  to  his  congregation,  was  a  young 
man  from  the  country,  who,  having  been  met  by  one  of 
the  catechists,  was  conducted  to  Swartz.  He  remained 
with  him  several  days,  heard  his  instructions  in  silence, 
and  at  length  avowed  his  conviction  of  the  falsehood  of 
heathenism.  He  then  desired  to  go  into  the  country,  and, 
after  a  few  days,  returned  with  his  mother.  He  con- 
tinued to  attend  diligently  to  reading  and  prayer,  and,  at 
his  baptism,  received  the  name  of  Sattianaden,  Professor 
of  the  Truth.  Many  of  his  relations  were  much  offended 
at  his  conversion ;  but  he  advanced  steadily  in  Christian 
faith,  accompanied  the  missionary  and  his  assistants  in 


160  MEMOIRS   OF 

their  excursions,  and  manifested,  upon  various  occasions, 
his  humility,  as  well  as  his  courage.  In  a  short  time, 
he  was  received  as  a  catechist,  "only,"  observes  Swartz, 
with  his  usual  judgment,  "  I  never  send  him  forth  alone, 
but  in  company  with  an  elder  assistant,  that  if  he  should 
happen  to  be  roughly  treated,  he  may  have  some  one  to 
console  him."  Sattianaden  })roved,  as  it  will  hereafter  be 
seen,  a  genuine  aud  valuable  convert,  and  was  distin- 
guished during  a  long  course  of  years  for  his  useful  and 
laborious  services  in  the  mission,  to  which  he  became  thus 
early  and  happily  attached. 

Another  instance  of  conversion,  of  a  very  interesting 
nature,  occurred  at  this  time,  which  is  particularly  men- 
tioned in  his  journal  for  the  year.  It  is  that  of  a  man, 
said  to  have  been  more  than  a  hundred  years  old,  who 
placed  himself  under  instruction,  and,  considering  his  ex- 
treme age,  comprehended  well  what  he  was  taught,  and 
prayed  fervently.  Not  long  afterwards,  he  was  taken  ill, 
when  he  earnestly  entreated  that  he  might  not  be  allowed 
to  die  unbaptized  ;  "  for,"  said  he,  "  1  believe  in  Jesus 
Christ."  He  was  accordingly  baptized  and  received,  and 
was  named,  at  his  own  request,  Rayappen,  (Peter,)  after 
one  of  the  younger  catechists,  to  whom  he  was  much  at- 
tached. During  his  illness,,  he  desired  to  be  read  and 
prayed  with  diligently.  "  I  visited  him,"  says  Swartz, 
"  the  day  before  his  departure,  when  he  said,  '  Now,  padre, 
I  am  going  to  the  kingdom  of  blessedness;  and  when  I 
am  gone,  see  to  it  that  my  wife,  who  is  ninety  years  of  age, 
may  at  lengtli  follow  me.'  Soon  afterwards  he  expired, 
and,  as  an  old  man  of  a  hundred  years,  and  a  child  of 
God  of  a  few  months,  he  received  honorable  and  Christian 
burial.  His  aged  wife  is  now  under  preparation,  and  has 
hitherto  delighted  us  by  her  grave,  devout,  and  quiet  de- 
meanor. She  partakes  of  the  spirit  of  those  holy  matrons 
of  whom  Paul  and  Peter  wrote.  She  is  now  about  to 
receive  with  us  the  holy  communion.  May  the  Lord 
bring  in  her  children  and  relations  also!  " 

Early  in  March,  as  intimated  in  his  last  letter  to  Mr. 
Chambers,  Swartz  proceeded  to  Tanjore,  accompanied  by 
three  of  his  catechists.  On  the  day  after  his  arrival,  the 
king,  having  heard  that  he  had  been  explaining  the  doc- 
trines of  Christianity  to  his  officers  and  servants  in  the 
palace,  desired  to  hear  him  himself.     He  was  accordingly 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  161 

conducted  to  a  shady  tree  in  the  court  before  the  king's 
apartment,  who,  before  he  was  aware,  approached  him, 
holding  a  yellow  umbrella.  "At  first,"  he  says,  "  I  did 
not  recognize  him,  as  he  was  very  thin  compared  with  his 
robust  appearance  when  I  saw  him  two  years  before. 
Having  made  a  low  salam  to  him,  '  Padre,'  he  said,  '  I 
wish  to  speak  with  you  privately  ; '  and  led  me  to  a  de- 
tached court.  We  had  been  together  only  a  few  minutes, 
when  the  great  brahmin,  who  might  be  called  the  court 
chaplain,  joined  us.  The  king  prostrated  himself  to  the 
ground,  and  afterwards  stood  before  him,  with  folded  hands, 
while  the  brahmin  placed  himself  on  an  elevated  seat. 
The  rajah  gave  me  a  sign  to  address  the  brahmin,  who 
also  expressed  his  wish  to  hear  the  discourse  which  I  had 
delivered  in  the  palace  the  preceding  day.  I  then  di- 
rected him  to  the  supreme  Creator  and  Preserver  of  all 
things,  and  to  the  worship  worthy  of  him,  pointed  out  the 
folly  of  adoring  images  and  departed  men,  urged  the  de- 
pravity of  mankind,  and  exhibited  the  mercy  of  God  in 
Christ,  and  the  method  of  salvation  by  repentance  and 
faith  in  the  Saviour.  The  brahmin  listened  in  silence, 
and  I  was  desired  to  withdraw  a  little."  Refreshments 
were  afterwards  brought ;  and  while  Svvartz  was  partaking 
of  them,  the  king  asked  him  many  questions  respecting 
the  nature  of  repentance  ;  and  particularly  whether  it 
were  allowable  to  return  to  the  sins  which  we  professed  to 
lament.  The  faithful  missionary  replied,  that  "true  re- 
pentance consisted  in  a  hatred  of  all  sin,  which  was  in- 
consistent with  such  a  return."  And  to  an  inquiry  as  to 
what  he  thought  of  the  sin  of  drunkenness,  though  he 
perceived  its  tendency,  he  took  occasion,  after  the  example 
of  the  great  apostle,  to  "  reason  concerning  temperance." 

Notwithstanding  his  Christian  boldness  and  fidelity,  it 
is  evident  that  Svvartz  had  conciliated,  in  no  common 
degree,  the  confidence  of  the  rajah,  and  that  he  was  anx- 
ious to  see  and  hear  him  as  often  as  his  superstitious  dread 
of  offending  the  brahmins  permitted.  Intending  to  marry 
the  daughter  of  Captain  Berg  to  another  European  officer 
in  his  service,  he  desired  that  they  might  be  previously 
examined  and  instructed  in  Christianity.  At  the  end  of 
a  fortnight,  the  day  for  their  marriage  was  fixed  ;  and  the 
king,  having  expressed  his  wish  to  be  present  at  the  cere- 
mony, the  bridal  party  met  towards  evening  in  the  open 
14* 


162  MEMOIRS  OF 

air,  in  front  of  the  female  apartments  in  the  palace.  He 
was  accompanied  on  this  singular  occasion  by  two  of  his 
catechists  and  a  schoolmaster.  In  the  following  letter  to 
Mr.  Chambers,  after  mentioning  the  case  of  a  promising 
catechumen,  and  his  interviews  with  the  rajah,  he  details 
the  particulars  of  this  marriage  ceremony. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Your  kind  letter  I  have  received 
by  Nalla  Tambi,  who  has  been  with  us  seventeen  or 
eighteen  days,  reading,  hearing,  and  attending  public  and 
private  prayers.  He  seems  to  be  pleased  with  such  exer- 
cises. Here  he  is  as  in  a  desert.  He  has  no  communi- 
cation with  men,  except  with  the  catechists,  who  teach 
him  something  daily  out  of  the  New  Testament.  May 
divine  grace  work  in  him  a  thorough  change  of  heart ; 
for  without  that,  all  other  exercises  would  prove  fruitless. 
I  shall  now  soon  see  whether  I  stay  here  longer,  or  depart ; 
consequently,  whether  Nalla  Tambi  will  be  baptized  here 
or  at  Trichinopoly. 

"  Concerning  affairs  here,  I  am  quite  in  the  dark.  The 
last  time  I  was  here,  I  saw  the  king  four  times,  and  spoke 
with  him,  more  or  less,  of  Christianity.  But  as  soon  as 
Manoziappa  was  put  at  the  head  of  the  government,  the 
king  was  to  be  seen  no  more ;  because  such  intercourse 
was  not  proper !  The  king  himself  is  very  free,  and 
speaks  with  one  as  a  brother  ;  but,  unhappily,  he  is  addic- 
ted to  intoxicating  drugs,  and  the  love  of  women.  These 
two  things  lessen  his  sense  and  authority.  Were  he  to 
converse  freely  with  Christians,  I  firmly  believe  he  would 
be  persuaded  to  be  a  Christian.  He  told  me  once,  in 
reply  to  my  entreaty  that  he  would  give  up  his  heart  to 
God,  '  Alas  !  my  padre,  that  is  no  easy  matter ! ' 

"  I  fancy  you  have  heard  that  the  king  desired  me  to 
marry  a  couple  in  his  palace,  which  T  did.  First  we  began 
with  a  hymn;  then  I  prayed:  after  prayer,  I  preached 
a  sermon  in  Malabar,*  explained  the  duties  of  man  and 
wife,  and  enforced  them  by  Christian  motives,  warning 
against  the  opposite  vices  by  all  that  is  awful.  The 
king  and  his  first  people  stood  round  us,  hearing  with 
attention,  and  even  making  his  remarks.     His  women 

*  Tamul. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  163 

were  before  me,  though  concealed  by  a  screen.     All   this 
displeased  the  devil.* 

"  We  have  been  since  preaching  every  where  in  and 
out  of  the  Fort ;  to  which  purpose  I  brought  three  cate- 
chists  from  Trichinopoly.  About  ten  days  ago,  I  was 
talking  to  a  number  of  people,  when  I  was  attacked  by 
two  servants  of  the  king.  Leaving  me,  they  went  into 
anotWer  street,  where  they  found  Rayappen  (my  former 
servant)  and  Nyanapracasam,  (the  young  man  who  was 
abused  by  the  Papists  in  Trichinopoly.)  These  two  were 
reading  the  New  Testament  to  many  people,  in  which 
work  they  were  attacked  by  those  two  servants  of  the 
king,t  beaten,  and  deprived  of  their  Testaments.  Ray- 
appen and  Nyanapracasam  have  behaved  like  Christians, 
declaring  to  all  the  people  present,  that  they  were  not 
ashamed  to  suffer  for  the  sake  of  the  truth.  You  see, 
then,  that  the  word  of  God  meets  with  the  same  treatment 
everywhere.  May  Jesus  begin  to  open  the  eyes  of  the 
Gentiles,  that  they  may  come  and  receive  the  salvation 
which  is  prepared  for  them  also  ! 

"  Now,  my   dear  friend,  pray   heartily  for   us,   and   be 
strong   in   the   Lord,  that   when   he  shall    call    you    into 
another  field,  you  may  glorify  him.   Amen! 
"  Tanjore,  May  20, 1772." 

The  preceding  letter  was  written  during  the  second 
visit  of  Swartz  to  Tanjore,  in  this  year.  He  remained 
there,  upon  each  occasion,  a  month,  and,  during  the  latter, 
he  had  the  satisfaction  of  having  his  place  supplied  at 
Trichinopoly  by  Mr.  Gericke,  who,  at  the  request  of  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  had  proceeded 
thither  from  Cuddalore.  On  his  return  to  Trichinopoly, 
he  thus  resumed  his  correspondence  with  Mr.  Chambers. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Nalla  Tambi,  your  former  servant, 
desireth  to  return,  after  he  has  been  instructed  and  bap- 
tized. He  has  behaved,  during  the  time  of  his  being 
instructed,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  us  hope  that  he 
will  prove  sincere.  But  as  he  has  met  with  no  tempta- 
tions m  monry  affairs^  one  cannot  judge  of  it.  May  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  and  of  all  his  sufferings  cleanse  and 

*  The  brahmins  considered  it  a  dangerous  innovation. 

\  Swartz  afterwards  thought  they  might  be  disguised  Papists. 


164  MEMOIRS   OF 

strengthen  him  against  all  temptations  of  that  sort !  The 
point  you  mentioned  has  been  frequently  inculcated  upon 
him,  and  now  nothing  remains  but  to  pray  for  him,  that 
he  may  follow  the  guidance  of  the  blessed  Spirit.  As 
Mr.  Gericke  will  acquaint  you  with  all  that  passed  here, 
or  at  Tanjore,  I  will  not  repeat  it.  May  God  bless  us, 
and  all  the  earth  fear  him  ! 

"  Wishing  you  a  true  enjoyment  of  that  inestimable 
peace  of  mind,  purchased  by  Jesus,  and  applied  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and  brother. 

"  Trichinopoly,  June  16,  1772." 

"  My  dear  Friend, — It  is  now  above  eight  days  since 
Nalla  Tambi,  (or,  as  he  has  chosen  the  name  of,  Pra- 
casam,)  went  from  this  place  to  Negapatam.  I  suppose 
he  is  now  with  you.  He  has  attended  tolerably  well  ;  so 
that  I  am  not  without  hopes  of  his  good  behavior.  He 
desired  me,  before  he  was  baptized,  to  entreat  you  to  be 
his  godfather.  I  told  him  that  you  would  readily  perform 
the  duty  of  godfather,  provided  he  would  behave  as  a 
Christian.  He  is  naturally  passionate,  but  not  malicious. 
The  points  you  mentioned  in  your  letter,  I  have  endeav- 
ored to  instil  into  his  mind.  May  the  Spirit  of  Jesus 
Christ  stir  him  up  daily  to  watch  and  pray  !  You  know 
how  to  behave  to  such  beginners  ;  how  to  treat  them  with 
a  kind  severity.  Though  such  people  have  a  good  will 
and  intention,  they  must  not  expect  that  we  should  trust 
them  immediately,  much  less  blindly.  I  beseech  the 
Father  of  mercy,  to  grant  him  a  truly  Christian  spirit, 
'to  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  he  is  called.' 

"  Some  weeks  ago,  I  received  the  last  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred pagodas,  that  belong  to  Capt.  Heyn's  orphans.  I 
have  forwarded  them  to  Madras,  and  desired  Mr.  Fabri- 
cius  to  offer  them  to  you. 

"  Concerning  my  circumstances,  I  cannot  say  much 
about  them.  The  worst  is,  whatever  is  done  at  Tanjore, 
transpirelh  immediately  :  and  so  their  schemes  prove 
abortive.  I  had  wished  you  had  been  there.  But,  alas! 
there  are  wheels  within  wheels.  The  poor  king  desired 
sincerely  peace  ;  but  his  own  people  are  treacherous  crea- 
tures. For  my  part,  I  bewail  their  confusion,  and  entreat 
God  to  assist  them,  or  rather  to  revive  them. 

"  When  I  consider  how  many  people  heard  the  word  of 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  165 

God,  and  what  a  prospect  of  a  harvest  there  was  in  that 
place,  I  wish  heartily  some  laborers  could  be  sent  there. 
But  our  duty  is  to  be  faithful  in  that  which  is  committed 
to  our  care.  I  have  at  present  eight*  catechists,  who  are 
willing  to  glorify  their  Redeemer,  according  to  that  mea- 
sure of  grace  which  is  given  them.  Let  us  daily  join 
heartily  in  lifting  up  our  hands  and  hearts  to  God  from 
whom  cometh  all  gift  and  blessing.  May  his  kingdom 
come,  even  amongst  the  blind  heathens.     Amen  ! 

"  Wishing  you  all  that  is  needful  to  you  in  your  station, 
in    order   to   enjoy   peace   yourself,  and    to   glorify   your 
Maker  and  Redeemer,  I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and 
servant. 
«  Trichinopoly,  July  1,  1772." 

What  a  beautiful  illustration  do  the  preceding  letters 
afford  of  that  union  of  zeal  with  judgment,  and  of  hope 
respecting  the  sincerity  of  his  converts,  with  that  cautious 
reserve  which  his  sagacity  and  experience,  as  to  the 
natives  of  India,  had  taught  him  to  be  so  necessary, 
which  peculiarly  distinguished  the  character  of  this  emi- 
nent missionary  !  How  anxious  he  is  not  to  excite  too 
sanguine  expectations  in  the  mind  of  his  friend  as  to  the 
conversion  of  his  late  servant,  and  how  admirable  his 
suggestion,  to  treat  him  witli  a  kind  severity  !  The  wis- 
dom of  Swartz  is  equal  to  his  piety  and  love.  In  his 
next  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers,  he  refers  to  a  fresh  call  to 
Tanjore. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — To-day  I  received  your  kind  favor 
just  before  I  would  catechise  the  children.  In  the  time  of 
catechisation  I  got  a  letter  from  Tanjore,  in  which  I  was 
invited  to  come,  the  rajah  desiring  to  see  me.  The  poor 
people  will  be  afraid  now  lest  they  may  share  the  fate  of 
the  Marawart  rajah.  I  shall,  if  God  pleaseth,  take  a 
journey  thither  next  Monday.  O  that  they  might  consider 
in  time  what  belongs  to  their  peace,  before  it  be  too  late ! 
Now  you  may  sharpen  your  fervor  in  prayer.  Remember 
them  and  me  before  the  throne  of  grace.  But  let  none 
know  any  thing  of  this  journey.     The  last  time,  the  Cud- 

*  The  eisrhth  was  named  Abiseganaden,  (Christian.) 
t  This  is  an  allusion  to  the  recent  conquest  of  both  the  Marawar 
Poly  gars,  by  the  nabob  of  the  Carnatio. 


166  MEMOIRS   OF 

dalore  people  were  very  industrious  to  spread  their  con- 
jectures, which  is  often  prejudicial  to  the  cause  of  God. 
May  God  bless  all  your  study  and  prayer  !  When  you 
can  send  a  line  it  is  very  acceptable  ;  but  I  desire  it  not 
at  the  expense  of  your  precious  time.  The  time  is  truly 
short !  Happy  if  we  spend  it  to  the  best  of  purposes. 
Wishing  you  a  daily  supply  of  divine  grace  and  strength, 
I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and  servant. 
"  Trichinopoly,  July  29,  1772." 

The  object  of  the  king's  invitation  to  Swartz  at  this 
time  was,  as  he  mentions  in  his  journal,  of  a  political 
nature.  He  perceived  the  storm  which  was  approaching 
him  on  the  part  of  the  nabob  of  the  Carnatic,  and  was 
desirous  of  employing  the  respected  missionary  as  a  medi- 
ator between  him  and  the  English  in  order  to  revive  their 
drooping  friendship.  "  Now,"  observes  Swartz,  "  this  in 
itself  would  not  be  sinful ;  but  it  is  a  dangerous  matter  to 
engage  in  such  things  with  a  people  so  prone  to  deceit ; 
and  this  I  distinctly  avowed  to  them.  The  king  said, 
'  Padre,  I  have  confidence  in  you,  because  you  are  indif- 
ferent to  money.'  But  his  officers  did  not  wish  me  to  be 
engaged  in  this  affair,  lest  their  own  iniquity  might  be 
discovered.  And  thus  it  passed  off;  for  which  God  be 
praised,  as  I  had  no  occasion  to  declare  fully  my  averse- 
ness  to  the  employment." 

Here  again  it  is  impossible  not  to  admire  the  testimony 
borne  by  the  friendly  rajah  to  the  known  superiority  of 
Swartz  to  the  prevailing  love  of  money,  and  the  Christian 
integrity  and  prudence  with  which  he  guarded  against 
every  engagement  which  might  in  the  remotest  degree 
hinder  or  interfere  with  his  one  grand  object  of  promoting 
the  gospel  in  India. 

In  the  month  of  October,  he  again  visited  Tanjore,  and 
conversed  with  numbers  of  all  ranks  on  the  great  truths  of 
Christianity.  Upon  one  occasion,  however,  he  was  for- 
bidden by  an  inferior  officer  to  preach  so  publicly  without 
an  order  from  the  king  ;  upon  which  he  inquired,  whether 
he  had  any  authority  to  interrupt  him  in  the  peaceable 
exercise  of  his  duty  ;  and  finding  that  he  had  not,  he  con- 
cluded that  a  brahmin  who  happened  to  be  present  had 
excited  this  temporary  opposition. 

On  hjs  return  to  Trichinopoly,  he  spent  the  rest  of  the 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  167 

year  in  his  usual  sacred  occupations,  in  which  the  good- 
ness of  God  permitted  him  to  witness  much  that  was 
hopeful,  to  the  strengthening  of  his  faith  and  the  comfort 
of  his  heart  in  the  midst  of  many  discouragements  and 
trials.     He  thus  piously  concludes  his  journal. 

"  With  this  I  close,  and  praise  the  merciful  God  for  his 
unmerited  goodness  to  me  and  the  eight  assistants  during 
the  whole  year.  May  He,  according  to  the  riches  of  his 
mercy,  forgive  us  whereinsoever  we  have,  either  inwardly 
or  outwardly,  in  act  or  omission,  offended  him  ;  clothe  us 
with  the  perfect  righteousness  of  our  Redeemer,  anoint  us 
with  his  Spirit,  enlighten,  strengthen,  and  bless  us  all,  to 
the  praise  of  his  mercy.     Amen  ! " 


168  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER    X. 

Mr.  Swartz  visits  Tanjore — Places  a  Catechist  at  Vellum— Letters 
to  Mr.f Chambers, and  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowl- 
edge— Renewed  hostilities  against  the  Rajah  of  Tanjore — Capture 
of  the  Fort  and  City — Unfavorable  effect  on  the  ministry  of  Swartz 
— Two  journies  to  Madras — Progress  of  the  Mission  atTrichinop- 
oly — Death  of  Colonel  Wood — Letters  of  Swartz  to  his  children 
— Restoration  of  the  Rajah  of  Tanjore — Arrival  of  a  new  Mission- 
ary— His  death — Mr.  Pohl6  sent  from  Tranquebar  to  supply  his 
place — Frequent  visits  of  Swartz  to  Tanjore — Letter  to  Professor 
Freylinghausen — Rajah  of  Tanjore — At  his  request  Swartz  learns 
the  Mahratta  language — Translates  his  Tamul  Dialogue  for  his 
use — Account  of  that  tract — State  of  the  Mission  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1777. 

Early  in  the  ensuing  year  Mr.  Swartz  proceeded  to 
Tanjore,  and  finding  that  an  opportunity  presented  itself 
of  preaching  the  gospel  in  the  neighboring  fort  of  Vellum, 
he  determined  on  placing  a  catechist  there,  and  occasion- 
ally visiting  it  himself  Of  this  additional  station  he  in- 
forms Mr.  Chambers  in  the  following  letter. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — It  is  now  a  long  time  since  I  have 
asked  you  how  you  did.  The  business  which  keeps  you 
from  writing  oftener  is  the  very  same  cause  of  my  delaying 
it  so  long.  But  besides  the  friendly  inclination  of  writing 
you  a  line  or  two,  I  was  stirred  up  in  a  particular  manner, 
by  finding  some  of  your  papers  in  the  bureau  Colonel 
Wood  gave  me.  As  they  may  be  useful,  nay  necessary  to 
you,  for  aught  I  know,  (for  I  have  not  perused  them,)  I 
resolved  to  send  them  to  you. 

"  Another  question  which  I  would  put  to  you  is,  whether 
you  have  received  those  books  which  you  desired  me  to 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  169 

write  for,  and  which  was  sent  to  your  brother*  at  Oxford, 
as  the  late  Dr.  Knapp  wrote  me. 

•'Yesterday  evening  we  were  finishing  a  short  cursory 
explanation  of  the  Revelation  of  St.  John,  which  some 
young  Malabar  people  desired  me  to  give  them  at  morning 
and  evening  prayer.  Glorious  are  the  promises  which 
Jesus  has  given  to  his  church,  in  order  to  encourage  them 
in  their  pilgrimage. 

"  So  far  I  wrote  a  fortnight  ago. 

"  After  that  I  went  to  Vellum,  from  whence  I  returned 
yesterday.  As  some  Malabar  people  seem  willing  to  be 
instructed,  I  proposed  to  the  gentlemen  there  to  erect 
a  small  house  wherein  we  might  assemble  in  an  orderly 
manner  ;  which  they  agreed  to,  and  collected  fifty  pagodas 
for  that  purpose.  1  intend  to  keep  a  catechist  there,  and 
to  visit  that  place  occasionally.  As  some  families  beyond 
the  Coleroon  came  hither  and  were  instructed,  they  desire 
to  fix  one  catechist  there.  In  a  few  days  time  I  intend  to 
go  to  that  place  in  order  to  regulate  matters  as  well  as 
divine  grace  leads  us. 

"  I  had  many  things  to  write  you,  but  my  time  being 
much  confined,  I  must  conclude.  May  you  grow  daily  in 
grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ! 
May  the  blessed  Spirit  of  Christ  glorify  Jesus  more  and 
more  in  your  heart !  And  O  !  may  you  be  honored  to  be 
a  glorious  instrument  in  promoting  the  honor  of  God,  and 
consequently  the  benefit  of  your  fellow-creatures.  This 
is  the  sincere  wish  of  your  affectionate  friend  and  humble 
servant,  C.  F.  Swartz. 

"  Trichinopoly,  Jan.  20,  1773." 

In  a  letter  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Know- 
ledge, dated  from  Tranquebar,  Feb.  14,  Swartz  expresses 
his  grateful  sense  of  the  divine  goodness  in  preserving 
him  and  his  fellow-laborers  in  health  during  the  prevalence 
of  an  epidemic  disease  which  had  swept  away  above  a 
thousand  persons  in  a  fortnight.  He  informs  the  Society 
of  his  visit  to  the  natives  beyond  the  Coleroont  mentioned 

*  Then  a  fellow  of  University  College, 
t  About  twenty  miles  from  Trichinopoly. 
15 


170  MEMOIRS   OF 

in  the  preceding  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers,  and  adds,  that 
finding  the  greater  part  of  the  village  inclined  to  embrace 
Christianity,  he  had  left  two  catechisfs  there,  and  ordered 
every  thing  for  the  building  of  a  small  church,  promising 
to  return  to  them  shortly.  JVom  thence  he  went  to  Tran- 
quebar  to  see  his  brethren  the  Danish  missionaries,  and 
to  regulate  some  aftairs  relating  to  his  congregation.  He 
notices  the  increasing  expenses  of  the  mission,  but  ex- 
presses a  humble  hope  that  a  merciful  God  will  supply 
whatever  might  be  needful — a  hope  which  was  not  long 
afterwards  realized  by  a  donation  of  200/.  on  the  part  of 
the  members  of  the  Society  towards  the  support  of  Svvartz 
and  his  catechists.  He  gratefully  acknowledges  the  Soci- 
ety's present  of  Bibles,  and  common  prayer  books,  which 
were  most  useful  and  acceptable  to  the  English  soldiers, 
and  referring  to  the  liberal  offer  of  Archdeacon  Congreve 
to  defray  the  expense  of  translating  into  Tamul,  and  print- 
ing, Leslie's  Short  Method  with  the  Deists,  and  Bishop 
Wilson's  Instructions  for  the  Indians,*  he  assures  the  So- 
ciety of  his  intention  of  accomplishing  that  design  on  his 
return  to  Trichinopoly.  In  August  he  wrote  as  follows  to 
Mr.  Chambers. 

"  My  dear  Friend,— Though  our  correspondence  has 
been  much  interrupted  by  your  multiplicity  of  business, 
this  has  not  diminished  my  regard  for  you.  I  remember 
you  often,  and  wish  that  all  your  steps  may  be  blessed, 
that  you  may  enjoy  a  rich  share  of  divine  light,  peace, 
strength,  and  consequently  true  happiness. 

•'Here  all  is  in  confusion.  Poor  Tanjore  will,  nay 
must,  as  they  are  pleased  to  say,  flill.  I  am  afraid  Tan- 
jore has  filled  the  measure  of  its  sins,  and  is  given  up. 
Certainly  the  poor  rajah  was  blind  and  infatuated  ;  other- 
wise  he  might  have   prevented    the   present   misery  that 

*  "  The  Knowledge  and  Practice  of  Clii  istianity  made  easy  to  the 
Meanest  Capacities,  or  An  Essay  towards  an  Instruction  for  the 
Indians;  which  will  be  of  use  to  such  Christians,  as  have  not  well 
considered  the  meaning  of  the  relioion  they  profess,  or  who  profess 
to  know  God,  but  in  works  do  deny  him  :  in  several  short  and  plain 
dialogues.  Together  with  directions  and  prayers  for  the  heathen 
world,  missionaries,  catechumens,  private  persons,  families  ;"  «SLc. 
By  Thomas  Wilson,  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man.  The  third  edition 
of  this  work,  printed  in  London.  1742,  lies  before  us.  The  Essay 
was  prepared  at  the  instance  of  General  Oglethorpe. — Jim.  Ed. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  171 

comes  upon  him.  In  January  I  was  there  the  last  time.  I 
warned  them,  and  told  them  that  in  the  present  course  they 
must  perish.  Manoziappa's  son  said  ;  '  What  can  we  do?' 
I  answered,  •  Turn  to  Him  who  can  hel[)  you.'  He  said, 
'Is  it  not  the  way  of  the  world  ?'  'Well,'  I  said,  'the 
course  of  the  world  will  undo  you.'  Within  a  short  time 
it  will  be  decided.  As  the  church  at  Vellum  is  to  be 
turned  into  an  hospital,  I  shall  go  to  try  whether  it  may 
be  prevented.  May  Jesus  be  with  you,  and  your  spirit. — 
Pray  for  us  here. 
"  Tiichiuopoly,  August  2,  1773." 

The  alarm  respectinof  Tanjore  expressed  by  Swartz  in 
the  preceding  letter,  was  occasioned  by  the  determination 
of  thfr  Madras  government  to  assist  the  nabob  of  Afcot 
in  the  object  which  he  had  long  had  in  view  of  dethroning 
the  rajah,  under  the  pretence  of  the  non-payment  of  the 
tribute  due  to  him  from  'I'anjore,  and  possessing  himself 
of  his  dominions.  The  army  marched  from  Trichinopoly 
for  this  purpose  on  the  3d  of  August,  and  on  the  6th 
encamped  within  a  short  distance  of  Tanjore.  The  poor 
rajah  remonstrated  against  this  unjust  invasion,  but  in 
vain.  The  approaches  were  made,  and  the  breaching 
batteries  opened  on  the  14th  of  September.  On  the  I6th 
a  practicable  breach  was  reported,  and  the  next  day  at 
noon,  while  the  garrison  had  retired  for  a  little  refresh- 
ment and  repose,  the  English  troops  advanced  to  the 
assault  and  entered  Tanjore  with  scarcely  any  resistance 
or  loss.  The  rajah  and  his  family  were  taken  prisoners 
in  the  fort,  and  the  nabob  took  possession  of  his  treasure 
and  his  kingdom. 

The  effect  of  this  change  in  the  government  of  Tanjore 
was  unfavorable  to  the  influence  of  Swartz,  and  to  the 
progress  of  his  Christian  labors  in  that  quarter.  The 
nabob  and  his  sons,  though  personally  civil,  were  un- 
friendly to  the  exertions  of  the  able  and  zealous  mission- 
ary ;  and  the  building  in  which  divine  service  had  been 
performed  appears  to  have  been  destroyed  during  the 
suspension  of  the  rajah's  authority  in  Tanjore. 

In  the  course  of  the  succeeding  year  Mr.  Swartz  under- 
took a  journey  to  Madras  for  the  express  purpose  of  ob- 
taining from  the  nabob  a  spot  of  ground  at  Tanjore,  on 
which  to  build  a  small  church ;  but  the  grant  was  refused. 


172  MEMOIRS  OF 

Business  having  called  him  to  Madras  a  second  time,  he 
repeated  his  application,  but  it  was  again  civilly  declined. 
On  both  these  journies,  he  observes  in  a  letter  from 
Trichinopoly,  dated  January  21,  1775,  addressed  to  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  he  conversed 
freely  with  the  natives,  the  generality  of  whom  appeared 
to  be  more  and  more  convinced  of  the  divine  origin  of 
Christianity.  "Many  of  the  best  families,"  he  says, 
"  would  not  hesitate  to  become  Christians,  could  it  be 
shown  how  they  might  maintain  themselves.  But  the 
difficulties  are  now  greater  than  when  Tanjore  and  the 
Marawar  country  had  their  own  princes  and  governments; 
many  thousands  of  the  inhabitants  having  quitted  the 
country  for  want  of  food  and  employment.  We  go  on, 
however,  casting  all  our  burden  upon  Him  '  who  careth 
for  us,'  and  who  can  point  out  a  thousand  means  of  allevi- 
ating these  distresses,  and  open  the  way  for  the  reception 
of  his  word." 

In  the  same  letter,  Swartz  informs  the  Society,  that 
two  of  his  catechists  were  stationed  at  Vellum,  for  the 
instruction  of  the  small  congregation  collected  there :  and 
that  his  own  at  Trichinopoly  had  received  a  large  acces- 
sion of  members.  Several  of  these,  he  acknowledged 
with  his  characteristic  sincerity,  had  been  actuated  rather 
by  the  pressure  of  the  famine  which  was  then  afflicting 
the  country,  than  by  a  genuine  desire  of  knowing  the 
way  of  salvation.  "  As  they  insist,  however,  on  being  in- 
structed," he  adds,  "  I  think  it  my  duty  to  besiow  on  them 
all  diligence,  though  the  labor  sometimes  increases  to  a 
great  degree,  hoping  that  some  at  least  may  make  a  good 
use  of  my  instructions  ;  nor  have  I  been  disappointed  in 
my  expectations." 

The  benevolence  which  was  so  conspicuous  in  the 
character  of  Swartz,  was  particularly  observable  in  his 
love  to  children,  and  in  his  endeavors  to  promote  their 
moral  and  religious  improvement.  His  schools  for  the 
instruction  of  the  natives  formed,  as  is  well  known,  an  im- 
portant part  in  all  his  plans  as  a  missionary  ;  and  in  his  in- 
tercourse with  his  European  friends,  his  kindness  towards 
the  younger  branches  of  their  families  was  equally  striking. 
Of  this  amiable  feature  in  his  character  a  very  pleasing 
memorial  remains  in  several  letters  written  to  the  children 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SVVARTZ.  173 

of  Colonel  Wood,*  who,  on  leaving  Trichinopoly  had  been 
stationed  at  Madras.  They  are  marked  by  the  affecliouate 
simplicity,  the  sound  judgment,  and  the  elevated,  but 
sober  and  practical  piety  which  pervade  all  his  corres- 
pondence, and  prove  how  eminently  he  partook  of  the 
spirit  of  his  gracious  and  condescending  Master,  who 
said,  "Suffer. the  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and 
forbid  them  not ;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
The  first  of  these  interesting  letters  is  addressed  to  the 
eldest  daughter,  then  only  nine  years  of  age,  and  is  as 
follows  : — 

"  It  is  a  long  time  since  I  had  it  in  my  mind  to  send 
you  a  line,  because  I  have  known  you  from  your  infancy, 
and  that  for  several  years.  It  is,  therefore,  natural  in  me 
to  wish  you  well,  and  particularly  to  desire  the  welfare 
of  your  immortal  soul.  I  know,  and  am  fully  persuaded, 
that  your  dear  mamma  will  do  all  that  lies  in  her  power 
to  train  you  up  in  the  paths  of  true  Christian  piety  ;  still 
a  well-meant  admonition  from  an  old  friend  may  be  ac- 
ceptable. As  God  has  made  us  reasonable  creatures,  our 
great  care  should  be  to  adorn  our  understanding  with 
useful  knowledge.  Now  the  word  of  God  is  particularly 
given  us  for  that  divine  purpose  of  making  us  wise  unto 
salvation.  It  teaches  us  in  the  best  manner  what  God  is, 
and  what  we  are  ;  and  leads  us  unto  Jesus  Christ  the 
blessed  Saviour,  who  is  able  and  willing  to  deliver  us  from 
our  sins,  and  to  make  us  beloved  ciiildren  of  God. 

"  I  hope  that  by  the  example  and  admonition  of  your 
kind  mamma,  you  are  desirous  of  improvement  daily  in 
that  divine  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  Besides,  we  have 
a  will  to  choose,  or  to  reject  something — as  this  our  will 
is  directed  either  for  God  and  his  glory,  so  we  are  obedient 
to  him  ;  is  this  will  inclined  towards  the  world  and  sinful 
things,  so  we  prove  disobedient.  There  was  never  a  man 
upon  earth  whose  will  was  so  well  directed,  as  the  will  of 
our  Saviour.  In  the  midst  of  his  sufferings  he  said,  'Not 
my  will,  but  thine,  O  Father  in  heaven,  be  done.'  Now 
as  a  will,  well  directed  and   guided,  is  a   sort  of  heaven 

*  Two  of  the  daughters,  one  of  whom  was  married  to  the  late  Key. 
Basil  Woodd,  died  early  of  decline.     The  son,  who  followed  the  pro- 
fession of  his  (rallanl  father,  is  now  a  lieutenant-general  in  the  army, 
and  still  retains  a  pleasing  remembrance  of  his  venerable  friend. 
15* 


174  MEMOIRS  OF 

upon  earth ;  so,  on  the  other  hand,  a  stubborn,  disobedient 
will  is  a  sore  affliction.  Therefore  I  wish  and  entreat 
you,  my  dear  N.  to  make  God's  will  your  own,  saying 
from  the  heart,  'Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done,  O  God.' 
And  as  we  in  our  younger  years  do  not  know  what  is  good 
for  us,  God  has  enjoined  us  to  obey  our  parents.  I  make 
no  doubt  but  a  hint  from  your  dear  mamma  will  be  as 
much  as  a  command.  Remember  me  to  your  dear  brother, 
and  my  young  friend,  and  to  your  two  dear  sisters.  May 
the  grace  of  God  abound  in  and  upon  you.  Amen  ! 
"So  prays  your  affectionate  friend, 

"C.  F.  Swart  z. 
"  Trichinopoly,  July  1,  1773." 

The  admonition  of  the  pious  missionary  to  acquiesce  in 
the  will  of  God  came  but  too  seasonably  to  his  youthful  cor- 
respondent, who  was  called  about  a  twelvemonth  afterwards 
to  sustain  the  heavy  loss  of  her  ffither.  Colonel  Wood, 
who  died  in  July,  n?^,  had  requested  Swartz  to  become 
a  joint  executor  with  Mr.  Chambers,  of  his  will,  an  office 
which  he  could  not  with  propriety  decline,  considering  his 
personal  friendship  for  that  excellent  officer,  and  his  obli- 
gations to  him  as  a  generous  benefactor  to  his  mission. 
The  two  next  letters  to  his  orphan  daughter  were  written 
after  his  return  from  Madras,  where  he  had  consoled  the 
family,  and  arranged  as  far  as  possible,  the  affairs  of  his 
deceased  friend. 

"  Trichinopoly,  Sept.  10, 1774. 
"  Your  very  agreeable  letter  I  received  with  joy  and 
thankfulness  to  God,  for  the  divine  grace  which  already 
has  been  given  you  ;  which,  if  you  continue  to  implore 
your  blessed  Redeemer,  and  watch  over  yourself,  will  be 
augmented  every  day.  Your  dear  mamma  will  show  you 
an  excellent  admonition  which  God  your  Saviour  has 
given  you  and  us  all.  '  Give  me,  my  son,  (daughter,) 
thine  heart,  and  let  thine  eyes  observe  my  ways.'  (Prov. 
xxiii.  26.)  Yes,  may  your  heart,  all  your  desires  and 
affections,  be  given  to  God,  so  as  to  love  him  above  all, 
and  fear  him  in  a  filial  manner,  and  trust  in  him!  His 
ways  you  must  learn  to  observe,  even  with  joy,  gratitude, 
and  obedience,  though  they  should  cross  our  ways;  for 
his  ways  are  good  and  highly  beneficial,  leading  us  to  the 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  175 

place  of  eternal  happiness.  Tlie  ways  of  men  are  too 
often  sinful,  leading  to  destruction.  Be,  then,  always 
observing  the  ways  of  your  heavenly  Father,  and  follow 
him  in  all.  Obey  your  dear  mamma  ;  and  look  upon  it 
as  the  greatest  blessing,  that  God  has  given  you  such  a 
guide.  Love  humility  as  your  Saviour  did,  and  let  not 
your  heart  be  deluded  by  the  show  of  the  world.  Salute 
my  young  friend  J.,  and  tell  him  not  to  stay  behind,  but 
to  be  diligent  in  learning  his  book.  Tell  your  dear  sister 
B.  not  only  to  mind  the  things  that  belong  to  the  body, 
but  to  mind,  above  all,  the  blessings  of  the  soul;  to  pray 
heartily ;  to  obey  strictly  all  the  orders  of  her  dear 
mamma.  And  last,  remember  me  to  my  dear  P. ;  ask  her 
whether  she  can  say  her  A,  B,  C,  and  whether  she  loves 
prayer.     Jesus  be  with,  and  in  you  all!" 

"  Trichinopoly,  Dec.  20,  1774. 
"  Last  month  I  received  your  most  agreeable  favor, 
which  rejoiced  me  much.  Blessed  be  the  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  has  awakened  your  heart  to  a 
sense  of  the  love  of  God,  and  of  Jesus  Christ.  Believe 
me,  this  is  the  greatest  treasure  which  a  gracious  God 
bestows  on  the  poor  children  of  Adam  and  Eve.  The 
blessings  which  he  bestoweth  on  oirr  bodies  are  not  to  be 
despised  ;  but  as  our  soul  is  of  an  infinite  value,  the  ben- 
efits which  we  receive  from  God  in  respect  of  our  souls, 
are  much  more  to  be  valued  than  those  which  belong  to 
our  bodies.  Go  on  vigorously  in  the  way  of  God.  Learn 
to  know  him  better,  and  what  mercy  he  has  bestowed  on 
us  in  Jesus  Christ.  Pray  heartily  to  him  every  day,  not 
only  with  your  dear  mamma,  but  likewise  by  yourself. 
Endeavor  by  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  do  the  will 
of  God.  All  true  Christianity  is  founded  in  humility. 
This  true  humility  makes  the  Lord  Jesus  so  precious  in 
our  hearts.  This  humility  produces  likewise  all  Christian 
dispositions  towards  our  fellow-creatures.  It  makes  us 
meek,  patient,  and  compassionate  towards  all  men.  Above 
all,  strive  to  subdue  and  conquer  that  mostdangerous  enemy, 
self-will.  This  self-will  robs  us  of  all  comfort,  and  our 
fellow-Christians  of  a  good  example  ;  besides,  it  hindereth 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  work  in  us  a  glorious  resemblance  to 
Jesus  Christ.  Always  think  and  say,  '  Thy  will  be  done, 
O  God!'     Salute  my  dear  J.  in  my  name.     The   angels 


176  MEMOIRS  OF 

sang  '  Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest.'  I  hope  he  will 
glorify  God  through  Jesus  Christ.  Tell  B.  that  Jesus 
loveth  all  humble  praying  children,  and  that  I  wish  she 
may  always  be  loved  by  Jesus.  Your  youngest  sister  M. 
tell,  that  Jesus  desireth  the  children  to  come  unto  him. 
I  hope  she  cometh  daily,  folding  her  little  hands  and 
praising  him  who  was  born  a  little  babe  for  us.  All  and 
every  one,  I  hope,  is  obedient  to  your  dear  mamma,  that 
the  blessing  which  God  has  promised  to  obedient  children 
may  come  and  rest  upon  you  !  " 

Simple  as  these  letters  are,  and  adapted  to  the  capacities 
of  children,  they  will  not  be  deemed  unworthy  of  being 
recorded,  when  the  importance  of  such  a  talent  for  the 
instruction  of  the  young  on  the  part  of  a  missionary,  and 
the  fine  sense  and  solid  excellence  of  the  admonitions 
which  they  contain,  are  duly  appreciated.  The  two  fol- 
lowing letters  were  addressed  to  his  young  friends  in  the 
prospect  of  their  approaching  departure  from  India,  and 
their  voyage  to  England. 

"  Trichinopoly,  Jan.  16,  1775. 
"  Dear  Children, — As  the  time  is  very  near,  when  you, 
I  suppose,  will  leave  this  country,  I  thought  it  my  duty 
to  write  to  you  a  short  exhortation,  which  you  are  so 
willing  to  receive  from  me,  your  old  friend.  When  you 
leave  this  country,  I  beseech  you,  take  none  of  the  sins 
which  are  so  manifest  here  with  you  ;  beg  of  your  Re- 
deemer to  forgive  you  all  your  sins,  and  to  grant  you  the 
help  of  his  Holy  Spirit  to  love,  fear,  honor,  and  obey  God. 
Learn  the  will  of  God,  and  practice  it  daily,  as  you  have 
given  us  some  pleasing  ground  to  hope  you  do.  As  your  age 
is  not  easily  given  to  grief,  make  use  of  your  innocent 
cheerfulness  to  gladden  the  heart  of  your  mamma.  You 
cannot  please  her  better  than  by  obedience,  willingness  to 
learn  to  pray,  and  fear  God  :  endeavor  to  please  her  and 
your  heavenly  Father  by  all  this  ;  read  every  day  your 
beloved  Bible ;  pray  heartily,  and  forget  not  to  sing  a  song 
of  praise  to  your  Redeemer.  Whenever  your  dear 
mamma  forbids  you  a  thing,  be  ready  to  obey.  Never 
give  way  to  any  stubbornness  ;  and  as  you  know  that  God 
is  highly  pleased  with  humility,  learn  to  be  humble,  en- 
treating your  Saviour  to  destroy  all  the  seed  of  pride,  and 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  177 

to  clothe  you   with   humility.     May  the   blessing   of  God 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you.     Amen! 

"  Remember  me,  and  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  walk 
worthy  of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  that 
by  my  poor  ministry  many  souls  may  truly  be  converted 
to  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

"  Trichinopoly,  Sept.  8,  1775. 

"  Having  written  a  few  lines  to  your  dear  mamma,  I 
thought  it  proper  to  address  you  likewise.  You  may  be 
sure  I  have  thought  on  you  very  often,  representing  to  my 
mind  the  comfort  which  you  would  afford  to  your  dear 
mamma  during  the  passage.  In  this  obedient  disposition 
1  hope  you  will  continue,  nay,  improve,  as  you  advance 
in  knowledge.  You  know,  even  in  your  tender  years, 
how  agreeable  it  is  to  God,  and  what  a  great  blessing  he 
has  promised  to  obedient  children.  The  fear  of  God,  as 
a  reverential  regard  (o  keep  his  commandments,  and  a 
holy  care  not  to  offend  him,  I  hope,  will  preserve  your 
tender  hearts;  and  to  strengthen  this  holy  fear  and  love 
to  God,  I  hope  you  pray  often  and  devoutly.  As  you 
liked  prayer  in  your  tender  years,  I  hope  you  will  not 
neglect  it  as  you  advance  in  age.  Let  your  Bible  be  your 
most  beloved  book.  Read  and  consider  how  Jesus  your 
Saviour  lived,  how  he  gave  himself  for  us  all,  how  he  sits 
at  the  right  hand  of  God  to  bless  us,  and  to  send  his  Holy 
Spirit  into  our  hearts.  But  all  this  your  dear  mamma 
will  explain  to  you  more  clearly.  May  God  lead  and 
guide  you  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  your  whole  life  may 
bring  glory  to  God  and  comfort  to  your  dear  mamma  and 
friends. 

"My  dear  J.  entreat  particularly  to  be  diligent  in  learn- 
ing useful  knowledge,  and  sincere.  I  hope  to  hear  from 
him,  and  to  learn  how  he  has  improved  in  those  things 
which  suit  his  age. 

"  Next  January,  the  little  J.*  whom  I  educate,  shall 
write  him  a  letter  ;  at  present  he  begs  to  send  his  compli- 
ments. He  is  just  now  reading  his  Persian  books,  which 
he  began  to  learn  just  after  your  departure.     Farewell, 

*  This  was  the  son  of  his  friend,  the  excellent  Mr.  KolilhofF,  of 
Tranquebar,  whom  Swartz  had  adopted,  and  whom  he  was  educat- 
ing; win  wa:S  afterwards  his  colleague  and  successor,  at  Tanjore, 
and  still  lives,  the  highly  respected  superior  of  that  mission. 


178  MEMOIRS  OF 

beloved  children  !     May  the  blessing  of  God  be  upon  you 
at  all  times!  " 

The  converts  to  Christianity  in  Trichinopoly  and  the 
neiffhborins  viljaires,  durinsf  the  year  1775,  were  numer- 
ous,  and,  in  general,  able  to  give  a  satisfactory  account  of 
their  faith.  Among  them,  Swartz  mentions  a  young  man 
of  high  caste,  who  had  deliberated  more  than  three  years, 
whether  he  would  embrace  the  gospel.  His  relations 
opposed  his  conversion  ;  but  he  followed  the  convictions 
of  his  own  mind,  and,  having  cultivated  our  language, 
was  taken  into  the  service  of  an  English  gentleman.  His 
countrymen  shunned  and  reviled  him  ;  which  he  bore 
with  humility,  yet  without  dejection  ;  and,  finding  that 
they  could  not  depress  his  spirits,  they  acknowledged  the 
wrong  they  had  done  him,  and  even  entreated  him  to  read 
to  them  some  passages  of  the  New  Testament.  In  the 
same  letter,  Swartz  speaks  of  two  families,  near  Trich- 
inopoly, who  had  been  converted,  and  whose  patience, 
under  the  persecution  which  had  followed  from  their  hea- 
then neighbors,  combined  with  a  degree  of  cheerful  bold- 
ness in  maintaining  their  Christian  profession,  had  been 
productive  of  such  happy  effects,  that  a  third  family  had 
been  induced  to  embrace  the  truth ;  and  he  entertained 
the  hope  of  shortly  seeing  the  whole  village  converted  to 
Christianity. 

The  deposition  of  the  rajah  of  Tanjore,  and  the  as- 
sumption of  his  country  by  the  nabob  of  Arcot,  having 
been  the  sole  act  of  the  Madras  government,  was,  after  a 
considerable  interval,  the  subject  of  serious  discussion  in 
England.  Notwithstanding  all  the  effbrts  of  the  nabob, 
the  voice  of  justice  prevailed,  and  an  order  was  sent  out 
from  the  Court  of  Directors,  to  restore  the  rajah  to  his 
former  authority.  The  president  of  Fort  St.  George  was, 
inconsequence,  recalled;  and,  in  April  1776,  the  resto- 
ration of  Tuljnjee,  under  certain  conditions  highly  favor- 
able to  the  British  interests,  was  proclaimed  at  Tanjore. 
This  event  led  to  the  renewed  and  more  beneficial  inter- 
course of  Swartz  with  the  rajah  and  his  kingdom. 

In  the  course  of  this  year,  professor  Freylinghausen, 
of  Halle,  to  whom  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 
Knowledge   had   repeatedly   applied   without  success,   in- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  179 

formed  ihem  that  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Schoelkopf,  of  whom  he 
wrote  in  strong  terms  of  commendation,  was  on  his  way 
to  London,  to  embark  as  a  missionary  to  India.  On  the 
29th  of  October,  he  was  presented  to  the  Society,  and 
was  addressed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bourdillon,  in  an  eloquent 
charge,  in  Latin,  in  which  he  refers  to  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  in  language  which  proves  the  high  estimation  in 
which  he  was  held  in  this  country.  "Neither,"  he 
observed,  "  do  you  engage  in  this  career  alone  :  for,  in- 
dependently of  that  divine  assistance  which  will  attend 
both  your  entrance  upon  it  and  your  daily  progress,  you 
have  the  happiness  of  finding  a  wide  and  effectual  door 
opened  to  you,  and  of  being  preceded  by  the  illustrious 
example  of  Svvartz,  as  a  fellow-laborer;  by  whose  un- 
wearied diligence,  admirable  prudence,  and  incredible 
labors,  the  work  of  the  gospel  has,  to  the  great  joy,  and 
gratulation  to  heaven,  of  this  Society,  within  these  few 
years,  made  no  inconsiderable  advances  in  Tanjore : 
whose  footsteps,  if  you  follow,  not  only  as  a  friend  and 
colleague,  but  as  a  most  skilful  leader,  and  imitate  his 
faith,  his  zeal,  his  virtues,  how  will  the  solid  experience 
of  the  one,  the  cheerful  emulation  of  the  other,  and  the 
united  studies  and  labors  of  both,  redound  to  the  influ- 
ence and  efficacy  of  pure  religion,  and  to  the  desired 
enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  !  " 

Mr.  Sclioelkopf  replied  in  Latin,  in  a  manner  which 
gave  a  very  favorable  impression  of  his  talents  and  piety, 
and  sailed  immediately  for  India,  but  died  soon  after  his 
arrival,  to  the  great  disappointment  and  concern  of 
Swartz,  who  mentions,  with  genuine  Christian  feeling, 
this  afflicting  event  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter 
to  professor  Freylinghausen,  dated  September  25,  1777. 

"  Your  letter,  containing  the  agreeable  intelligence  of 
a  missionary  coming  to  my  assistance,  afforded  me  great 
satisfaction.  This  gentlemen  arrived  safely  at  Madras; 
but  it  pleased  the  Lord  of  life  and  death  soon  to  call  him 
to  himself,  by  a  pleurisy,  which  terminated  his  life  in  a 
few  days.  You  may  easily  conceive  how  deeply  this  in- 
telligence affected  me.  But  the  Lord  is  holy  :  just  and 
true  are  all  his  ways.  Our  duty  is  to  submit  to  his  will. 
May  he  have  mercy  on  us,  and  support  the  work  in  which 
we  are  engaged,  for  Christ's  sake!" 


180  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  next  extract  from  this  letter,  affords  another  illus- 
tration of  the  wise  and  pious  caution  of  Svvartz,  as  to  any 
interference  in  political  matters. 

"  Respecting  our  situation  at  Tanjore,  you  will  easily 
conceive  the  confusion  into  which  we  have  been  thrown 
by  the  late  events  at  Madras.*  Indeed,  the  arrest  of  the 
governor  by  his  council,  could  not  fail  to  have  a  great 
influence  on  the  affairs  of  Tanjore.  It  being  known  that 
the  king  placed  confidence  in  me,  I  received  letters  re- 
questing me  to  persuade  him  to  accede  to  certain  propo- 
sitions ;  but  this  I  refused  in  a  polite  way,  as  a  business 
which  would  interfere  with  the  conscientious  discharge  of 
my  sacred  office.  This  is  the  cause  of  my  not  having 
conversed  with  the  king  for  these  six  months  past.  It  is 
with  great  regret  I  have  to  inform  you,  that  he  has  lately 
given  way  to  a  luxurious  and  dissipated  life  ;  so  that  little 
hope  can  nov;  be  entertained  respecting  him.  Yet,  let 
us  not  forget,  that  God  can  do  exceeding  abundantly 
above  all  that  we  can  ask  or  think." 

How  clearly  does  Swartz  here  intimate  one  of  the  most 
powerful  causes  which  hindered  the  religious  progress  of 
the  rajah;  jet  with  what  faith  and  charity  does  he  express 
his  feelings  on  this  interesting  point,  both  in  this  and  in  a 
succeeding  letter  ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  what  imme- 
diately follows,  shows  his  anxiety  to  promote  the  improve- 
ment of  the  rajah  in  Christian  knowledge,  though  at  the 
expense  of  additional  labor  in  acquiring  anotlier  language. 

"I  learned,"  he  continues,  "at  the  request  of  the  king, 
the  Mahratta  language,!  into  which  I  have  translated  a 
dialogue  between  a  Christian  and  a  heathen,  composed  by 
me  in  the  Malabar  (Tamul)  tongue,  at  the  express  desire, 
and  at  the  expense,  of  Archdeacon  Congreve.j  May  God 
command  his  blessing  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace! 

*  Alluding  to  the  contest  between  the  governor  and  the  council, 
and  the  subsequent  arrest  of  Lord  Pigot. 

t  This  is  the  language  of  the  princes  of  Tanjore,  as  descended 
from  the  Mahratta  conquerors  ;  and  to  his  acquisition  of  it,  for  the 
purposes  of  his  mission,  Mr.  Swartz,  doubtless,  owed  mucii  of  his 
subsequent  influence  in  tiiat  court. 

t  Thus  virtually  fulfilling  the  object  of  the  venerable  Archdeacon's 
proposal,  mentioned  p.  170. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  181 

The  order  and  contents  of  this  dialogue  are  as  follow: — 

1st.  On  the  being  and  infinite  majesty  of  God. 

2d.    On  his  glorious  attributes. 

3d.    On  creation  and  providence. 

4th.  On  the  overflowing  goodness  of  God  towards  our 
first  parents,  in  creating  them  good  and  happy. 

5th.  On  their  deplorable  fall,  and  consequent  great 
misery. 

6th.  On  the  unspeakable  mercy  of  God,  in  promising, 
and  sending  in  due  time,  a  Saviour,  to  the  fallen  human 
race. 

7th.  On  our  Saviour's  person,  and  what  he  has  done  for 
the  redemption  of  mankind. 

8th.  The  way  appointed  by  God  for  receiving  man  into 
his  favor  again ;  namely,  that  of  repentance,  faith,  and 
holiness. 

9th.  The  means  by  which  mankind  may  obtain  strength 
for  repentance ;  namely,  prayer  and  the  sacraments. 

10th.  On  the  unspeakable  happiness  of  those  who  walk 
in  the  path  of  faith,  ordained  by  God,  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments. 

11th.  Lastly,  a  Treatise,  proving  the  truth  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion." 

This  dialogue,  the  admirable  outline  of  which  is  thus 
detailed  by  its  excellent  author,  is  still  highly  valued,  and 
extensively  used  in  its  original  language  on  the  coast  of 
Coromandel. 

"  I  regret,"  thus  Swartz  concludes  this  interesting 
letter,  "  that  I  cannot  reside  more  constantly  at  Tanjore. 
I  have  scarcely  found  an  entrance  into  the  hearts  of  my 
hearers,  when  I  must  leave  them  again.  You  are  well 
aware,  that  a  few  conversations  will  not  suffice.  Contin- 
ual preaching  is  required,  as  well  as  frequent  friendly  con- 
verse, which  will  afford  an  opportunity  of  bringing  to  their 
consideration  the  various  divine  truths  of  the  Scriptures. 
By  relating  to  them  the  many  remarkable  events  revealed 
in  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  the  foundation  of  hea- 
thenism is  shaken,  and  Christianity  appears  in  all  her 
beauty.  Many  have  observed,  that  when  they  first  con- 
versed with  me,  scarcely  any  thing  struck  them  as  deserv- 
ing particular  attention  ;  and  that  they  secretly  thought 
how  they  might  get  rid  of  me,  or  confound  me  by  their 
16 


182  MEMOIRS   OF 

answers.  But  after  hearing  a  more  complete  representa- 
tion of  the  different  facts  and  points  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion, they  then  saw  the  end  in  view,  and  the  advantages  to 
be  obtained.  God  grant  that  we  may  put  our  hands  with 
renewed  zeal,  vigor,  and  joy,  to  the  great  work  of  con- 
verting the  heathen  ! " 

The  regret  so  frequently  expressed  by  this  great  mis- 
sionary, at  his  inability  to  reside  more  constantly  at  Tan- 
jore,  was  happily  relieved  by  the  kindness  of  his  Danish 
brethren  at  Tranquebar.  On  hearing  of  the  death  of  Mr. 
Schoelkopf,  they  sent  one  of  their  own  number,  the  Rev. 
Christian  Pohle,  then  recently  arrived  in  India,  to  assist 
him  ;  and  on  his  earnest  recommendation,  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge  received  him  as  one  of 
their  missionaries  at  Trichinopoly,  thus  enabling  Swartz 
to  direct  his  more  immediate  attention  to  Tanjore.  "  Mr. 
Pohle,"  he  says,  "  has  a  clear  head  and  a  pious  heart, 
with  a  great  desire  of  doing  good  to  the  natives,  and  has 
made  such  proficiency  in  the  Oriental  languages,  as  to  be 
able,  in  three  months,  to  preach  in  the  Malabar  language." 

This  excellent  missionary  made  himself  master  of  the 
English  as  well  as  the  Tamul  language,  so  as  to  officiate 
with  acceptance  in  both  tongues,  and  soon  took  a  very 
active  part  in  the  work  both  of  the  ministry  and  the 
schools. 

In  consequence  of  the  assistance  thus  seasonably  ob- 
tained, Mr.  Swartz,  during  the  year  1777,  visited  Tanjore 
four  times.  "  In  one  of  my  journeys,"  he  says,  "  I  arrived 
at  a  large  place,  where  the  heathen  were  celebrating  a 
feast.  I  was  struck  with  the  excessive  crowd  which  I 
saw  before  me.  I  stood  at  some  distance  from  them,  but 
was  soon  surrounded  by  a  great  number  of  people,  to  whom 
I  explained  the  glorious  perfections  of  God,  and  remarked 
how  they  dishonored  him  by  their  idolatry.  I  told  them 
at  the  same  time,  wlmt  infiuite  mercy  God  had  shown  to 
lost  sinners,  by  sending  tiiem  a  Redeemer,  and  how  they 
might  become  partakers  of  the  benefits  of  redemption. 
All  seemed  pleased,  and  acknowledged  their  own  folly, 
and  the  excellence  of  the  Christian  doctrine.  I  spoke  till 
I  was  quite  exhausted." 

In  his  letter  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 
Knowledge,  Swartz  laments  in  this  year  the  loss  of  the 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  183 

able  and  exemplary  catechist,  Rayappeii.  "  His  solid 
knowledge,"  he  says,  "  of  the  Christian  doctrine,  his 
meek  behavior  towards  all,  his  contented  mind,  and, 
more  particularly,  his  love  of  Christ  and  humble  zeal  in 
preaching  the  word  of  God,  were  acknowledged  both  by 
Christians  and   heathens." 

With  respect  to  the  natives  in  general,  he  observes, 
"  that  though  many  who  were  convinced  of  the  truth  and 
excellence  of  Christianity  were  restrained  by  worldly  con- 
siderations from  embracing  it,  the  divine  blessing  rested 
on  his  endeavors,  to  the  real  conversion  of  some."  "  It  is 
our  duty,"  he  adds,  "  to  be  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  our 
office,  without  being  too  anxious  as  to  the  number  of 
those  who  are  benefited  by  our  labors." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  professor  Frey- 
linghausen,  dated  Tanjore,  Jan.  23,  1778,  contains  a 
brief,  but  interesting  expression  of  his  feelings  in  the  re- 
view of  the  preceding  year. 

"  Blessed  be  God  for  his  abundant  mercy,  by  which  the 
missionary  brethren  and  myself  have  been  spared,  sup- 
ported, directed,  and  consoled  1  Who  are  we  that  He 
should  have  compassion  on  us  from  day  to  day  ?  We  are 
all  well,  although  some  of  us  begin  to  feel  the  effects  of 
advanced  age.  The  different  congregations  at  Trichi- 
nopoly.  Vellum,  and  Tanjore,  are  not  only  preserved,  but 
have  lately  received  an  accession  of  fifty  members.  The 
schools  are  continued  with  good  success ;  but  it  is  with 
regret  that  I  have  to  state,  that  the  junior  teacher  of  the 
English  school  has  applied  for  leave  to  resign  his  place,  as 
another  more  lucrative  situation  has  been  offered  to  him. 
The  senior  schoolmaster  also  wishes  to  leave  us  ;  he  in- 
tends to  turn  merchant.  They  have  by  no  means  " — such 
is  the  pious  reflection  of  the  devoted  missionary  upon  the 
secession  of  these  useful  fellow-laborers — "  a  due  value  for 
the  welfare  of  immortal  souls.  As  they  see  other  people 
laboring  for  riches,  and  many  succeeding  in  their  schemes, 
they  also  become  eager  for  their  possession.  O  may  the 
gracious  Lord  not  leave  us  ! 

"  The  catechists  are  all  out  on  different  journeys  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  Christians  and  heathens.  From  their 
reports,  as  well  as  from  my  own  observations,  it  appears 
that  the  principal  cause  which  prevents  most  heathens 
from  embracing  Christianity,  is  the  fear  of  man. 


184  MEMOIRS   OF 

"Of  the  king  of  Tanjore,  I  cannot  relate  much  good  at 
present.  Formerly  the  brahmins  stood  in  his  way  ;  and 
now .  But  let  us  recollect,  that  all  things  are  pos- 
sible with  God.  He  has  ways  and  means  of  humbling 
the  proud,  and  of  opening  prospects  for  the  dissemination 
of  the  gospel.  I  have  presented  the  king  with  a  copy  of 
the  Treatise,  which  I  composed  at  the  desire  of  Arch- 
deacon Congreve,  which  he  received  kindly  ;  and  it  is 
said  that  he  reads  it.     May  God  bless  its  perusal !  " 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  185 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Tanjore,  the  future  residence  of  Mr.  Swartz — His  Report  of  the 
Mission  for  the  year  1778 — Letters  to  friends — History  of  a  young 
Hindoo  convert — Major  Stevens — Foundation  of  a  Church  at 
Tanjore — Mr.  Swartz  called  by  the  Governor  to  Madras — His 
mission  to  Hyder  Ali — Account  of  his  journey  to  Seringapatam — 
Reception  by  Hyder — His  Palace  and  Government — Swartz's  oc- 
cupations during  his  stay — His  last  interview  with  Hyder — His 
return  to  Madras — His  disinterestedness,  as  to  remuneration — He 
obtains  a  salary  for  Mr.  Pohle,  and  assistance  towards  building  his 
Church  at  Tanjore — Reflections  on  his  Embassy  to  Hyder. 

From  this  period,  Tanjore  formed  the  chief  residence  of 
Swartz,  though  he  occasionally  visited  Trichinopoly,  and 
superintended  tlie  missionary  proceedings  at  both  places. 

The  territory  of  Tanjore  was  conquered  from  the  reign- 
ing Hindoo  prince,  by  Eckojee,  a  member  of  the  Mahratta 
family,  towards  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century.  Fertil- 
ized by  the  sacred  waters  of  the  Cavery,  it  is  considered 
as  holy  land,  and  has  always  been  a  most  favorite  resi- 
dence of  the  Hindoos.  Its  capital,  bordering  on  the  delta 
of  the  Coleroon  and  the  Cavery,  is  wealthy  and  splendid, 
adorned  with  a  pagoda,  which  eclipses  in  magnificence  all 
other  structures  in  the  south  of  India  ;  and  exceeding,  in 
the  number  of  its  sacred  buildings  and  charitable  institu- 
tions, all  the  neighboring  provinces.  Its  soil  is  peculiarly 
rich  and  productive,  and  its  inhabitants  numerous  and  in- 
dustrious. Having  suffered  but  little  from  the  Mohamme- 
dan invasion,  the  Hindoos  of  Tanjore  preserved  much  of 
the  original  character  of  their  religion,  and  cultivated  the 
study  of  their  sacred  literature  with  ardor  and  success. 
Though  inconsiderable,  in  point  of  extent,  its  comparative 
opulence  and  its  local  position  rendered  Tanjore,  at  that 
16* 


186  MEMOIRS   OF, 

period  the  seat  both  of  a  political  resident  and  of  a  British 
garrison,  a  place  of  great  interest  and  importance.  Such 
was  the  spot  in  which  the  future  exertions  of  Swartz,  for 
the  diffusion  of  our  holy  religion,  were  to  be  conducted. 

In  communicating  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Chris- 
tian Knowledge  his  general  report  for  the  year  1778,  he 
observes,  that  among  the  Hindoos  at  Trichinopoly  and 
Tanjore,  there  were  many  thousands,  even  among  the 
brahmins,  who  confessed  that  their  idolatry  was  both 
vain  and  sinful.  It  was  not  unusual  for  them,  when 
pressed  by  his  arguments,  to  reply,  "  True — what  can 
avail  all  our  images  and  innumerable  ceremonies  !  There 
is  but  one  supreme  Being,  the  maker  and  preserver  of 
all !  "  "  Hardly  a  day  passes,"  he  says,  "  in  which  brah- 
mins do  not  visit  my  house  at  Tanjore,  hear  attentively 
what  is  addressed  to  them,  frequently  take  up  a  book  in 
which  the  doctrines  of  Christianity  are  explained,  and 
praise  it  as  a  divine  religion."  But  too  generally  their 
convictions  ended  with  their  applause.  "  A  brahmin,"  he 
continues,  "  being  asked  what  he  would  resolve  upon, 
whether  he  intended  to  stifle  his  conviction,  or  to  receive 
that  divine  doctrine,  and  to  profess  it,  replied  that  he 
could  not  deny  the  impression  he  had  received,  and  that 
he  had  sounded  some  of  his  acquaintance;  but  that  they 
all  insisted  upon  the  task  as  too  difficult  and  dangerous, 
on  account  of  the  great  numbersof  the  professorsof  idolatry. 
Nothing,  therefore,  but  fear  keeps  them,  at  present,  from 
embracing  the  Christian  religion  ;  but  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  this  conviction  will  embolden  them,  one  day  or  other, 
to  shake  off  that  inglorious  servitude  of  sin  and  Satan. 
For  my  part,"  he  adds,  "  I  entertain  a  cheerful  hope  of 
seeing  better  days,  and  therefore  rejoice  in  the  present 
opportunity  of  preaching  the  salutary  doctrine  of  Christ, 
frequently  calling  to  my  mind,  that  there  is  a  time  of 
sowing  preceding  that  of  reaping. 

"  At  Trichinopoly,  we  begin  and  end  the  day  with 
public  prayer.  At  Tanjore,  I  have  introduced  the  same 
custom.  Very  often,  brahmins  and  others  have  been 
present,  observing  our  reading  the  word  of  God,  our  sing- 
ing and  praying.  I  never  discourage  the  heathen  from 
being  present  at  any  of  our  acts  of  solemn  worship,"* 

*  An  instance  of  the  beneficial  effect  of  this  practice  occurs  in  the 

next  letter  to  Mr.  Chambeis. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  187 

Early  in  this  year,  Swartz  addressed  the  following  affec- 
tionate and  instructive  letter  to  the  children  of  his  late 
friend,  Colonel  Wood. 

"  My  dear  young  Friends, — I  hoped  to  read  a  line  from 
you  this  year  ;  nay,  from  the  letter  of  your  dear  mamma, 
I  understood  that  you  were  kindly  inclined  to  make  me 
so  happy;  but  perhaps  the  ship  sailed  before  you  had 
finished  it.  Well,  I  am  fully  satisfied  with  the  good 
account  your  dear  mamma  sent  me  of  your  health  and 
improvement  in  all  useful  knowledge;  particularly  I  re- 
joiced at  your  filial  obedience  to  your  dear  mamma. 
Truly  this  account  was  joyful,  and  a  subject  of  thanks- 
giving to  God.  As  you  have  begun  so  hopefully,  I  trust 
you  will  continue  in  that  path  which  will  not  only  lejoice 
the  heart  of  your  dear  mamma,  but,  which  is  infinitely 
more,  will  be  ajoy  to  angels  and  their  Lord.  Oh,  my  dear 
friends,  read  daily  the  word  of  God,  and  let  the  meditation 
of  it  be  your  delight.  By  so  doing,  your  understanding 
will  be  enlightened  ;  the  doctrine  of  your  blessed  Re- 
deemer will  be  like  food  to  your  hearts  ;  your  affections 
will  be  fixed  upon  him  who  is  the  source  of  your  blessing; 
your  whole  conduct  will  be  conformable  to  the  will  of  your 
best  friend  ;  and  lastly,  this  daily  meditation  of  IJoly 
Scripture  will  guard  and  preserve  you  from  the  path  of 
the  wicked. 

"  Never  read  the  word  of  God  without  prayer.  Be  sure, 
my  dear  friends,  that  the  neglect  of  fervent  prayer  is  the 
cause  of  so  much  iniquity  in  the  world.  Forget  not  how 
tenderly  the  blessed  Redeemer  has  advised  us  to  enter 
into  our  chambers,  to  shut  the  door,  and  to  pray  to  our 
Father  in  secret.  You  know  that  he  himself  practised 
prayer,  and  so  set  us  an  example  which  it  is  our  duty  and 
happiness  to  follow. 

"  Wherever  you  are,  watch  lest  evil  conversation  de- 
prave your  tender  hearts.  You  know  that  we  cannot  trust 
our  hearts ;  therefore  be  always  upon  )'our  guard,  and 
walk  as  in  the  presence  of  God. 

"  You  see  how  plain  I  am  to  you,  because  I  love  you 
all,  and  wish  to  hear  of  your  spiritual  and  temporal 
happiness.  How  happy  should  I  be  if  I  could  be  with 
you,  and  bend  my  knees  with  you  before  the  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  But  that  being  very  improbable, 
I  hope  to  spend  with  you  a  blessed  eternity. 


188  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  Pray  for  me,  my  dear  friends,  that  I  may  preach  the 
gospel  of  my  Saviour  fliithfuUy  ;  that  I  may  not  labor  in 
vain,  but  win  immortal  souls  unto  Christ ;  and  that  I  may 
finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  enter  into  the  joy  of  my 
Lord. 

*'  Remember  me  respectfully  to  your  kind  governess. 
May  divine  grace  guide  her  in  instructing  you  !  Farewell, 
my  dear  friends,  and  fulfil  by  your  Christian  behavior  the 
wished-for  joy  of  your  affectionate  friend  and  servant, 

"  C.   F.   SWARTZ." 

It  is  difficult  to  conceive  any  thing  more  truly  wise, 
Christian,  and  paternal,  than  the  preceding  letter,  more 
perfectly  illustrating  the  character  of  the  excellent  writer, 
or  better  adapted  to  impress  the  hearts  and  to  promote 
the  improvement  of  the  young  persons  to  whom  it  was 
addressed. 

To  Mr.  Chambers,  who  had  now  removed  to  Calcutta, 
Svvartz  wrote  in  this  year,  as  follows. 

"  My  dear  Friend, —  You  have  truly  put  me  to  shame 
by  your  repeated  kind  fovors,  when  I  reflect  on  my  neg- 
lect in  answering.  Pardon  this  neglect.  I  promise  to 
mend  in  this,  as  I  ought  in  all  points  of  my  duty. 

"  Hitherto  a  merciful  God  has  preserved  your  unworthy 
friend,  and  bestowed  on  him  innumerable  benefits.  Would 
to  God  I  had  made  proper  returns  for  all  his  unmerited 
kindness! 

"  The  mournful  story  of  your  valuable  servant*  has 
much  affected  me  and  every  one  who  has  heard  of  it. 
Satan  is  'a  murderer  from  the  beginning,'  and  his  servants 
are  too  often,  at  least  in  their  hearts,  of  the  same  hellish 
disposition.  The  conduct  of  that  young  man  is  a  great 
comfort  to  you,  and  to  us,  in  this  melancholy  affair.  May 
God  raise  up  many  to  be  witnesses  of  his  grace,  and  the 
divine  effects  which  it  produces  in  the  hearts  of  all,  who 
do  not  wilfully  oppose  it  ! 

"  The  most  agreeable  account  which  I  have  heard  a 
long  time  of  the  conversion  of  souls,  is  doubtless  that 
which  you  so  circumstantially  described  to  me.     I  mean 

*  The  particulars  of  this  story  do  not  appear.  It  seems  probable 
that  the  enmity  of  some  of  the  natives  had  proved  fatal  to  a  con- 
verted servant  of  JVlr.  Chambers. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  189 

that  happy  couple,  Mr.   and  Mrs. .*     Tell  them 

that  as  all  angels  and  servants  of  God  rejoice  over  a  sinner 
that  repenteth,  so  the  devil  and  his  servants  murmur  and 
blaspheme.  O  may  our  blessed  Redeemer  fill  their  hearts 
with  'joy  and  peace  in  believing,'  that  they  may  go  on 
vigorously  to  the  praise  of  their  Saviour,  to  the  encourage- 
ment of  fellow  Christians,  and  to  the  confusion  of  the 
devil!" 

The  narrative  which  follows,  illustrates  the  beneficial 
effect  of  the  practice  already  mentioned  of  permitting  the 
natives  to  be  present  at  the  devotional  exercises  of  the 
missionaries,  as  well  as  the  difficulty  attending  their  con- 
version to  Christianity. 

"  Here  I  had  a  few  days  ago  an  example  which  pleased 
me  very  much,  though  attended  with  trouble.  A  young 
man  of  twenty-four  years  of  the  shraf  caste  resolved  to 
visit  us  at  our  evening  prayer — heard  the  word  of  God 
explained,  joined  in  prayer,  meditated  what  to  do — came 
to  a  settled  resolution  to  join  the  despised  people  of  God. 
Not  poverty,  not  quarrel,  but  a  desire  of  being  happy, 
inclined  him.  He  was  engaged  to  marry  a  young  woman, 
the  daughter  of  a  rich  man  at  Seringham.  The  day  of 
their  wedding  was  appointed.  He  told  his  mother  that 
he  would  fain  marry  that  girl,  but  not  with  idolatrous  rites. 
The  mother  said,  '  I  wish  I  had  killed  you  as  soon  as  you 
were  born,'  &:.c.  All  this  happened  before  his  being 
baptized.  The  relations  got  him  cunningly,  and  kept 
him  a  close  prisoner ;  but  he  found  an  opportunity  of 
making  his  escape,  and  came  hither  to  Tanjore.  His 
mother  and  others  made  a  great  noise,  and  came  and 
begged  I  would  not  admit  him.  I  replied,  in  the  presence 
of  brahmins  and  a  number  of  people,  that  1  never  forced 
any  body  ;  but  that  I  could  not  reject  him,  if  he  desired 
me  to  instruct  him.  Further,  I  said,  '  Here  he  is ;  ask 
him  whether  he  likes  to  go  with  you,  or  stay  with  us.' 
The  young  man  said,  '  Mother,  and  friends,  if  you  can 
show  me  a  better  way  to  heaven,  I  will  follow  you — but  I 
will  not  live  any  longer  in  idolatry.'  I  remained  in  my 
house ;  the  young  man  went  to  the  chattiram  ;  his  relations 


*  The  friends  here  alluded  to,  continued,  during  many  years,  both 
in  India  and  in  England,  to  adorn  and  promote  the  religion  of  the 
gospel. 


190  MEMOIRS  OF 

followed  him,  and  fairly  carried  him  off  to  Vellum  ;  but 
he  again  contrived  to  make  his  escape.  After  that,  I 
instructed  him  daily,  and  baptized  him.  May  Jesus 
triumph  over  all  his  enemies  shortly  ! 

"  As  to  the  rajah  here,  I  thought  to  write  to  you  as  soon 
as  I  knew  any  thing  with  certainty.  But  I  saw  that  this 
might  detain  me  too  long.  I  have  not  seen  him  since 
February.  He  has  married  more  wives — lives  a  sensual 
life,  and  indulges  much,  as  his  people  say,  in  drunkenness. 
He  is  surrounded  with  bad  people.  Nay,  to  say  the  plain 
truth,  the  behavior  of  many  Europeans  to  him  has  dis- 
gusted him  much.  You  know,  ray  dear  friend,  that  the 
generality  of  our  people  do  not  mind  that  which  is 
Christ's. 

"In  Colonel  Wood's  affair,  he  has  declared  that  not  he 
but  the  nabob  is  obliged  fo  pay  the  debt. 

"  Remember  me  to  your  kind  brother.  O  how  I  esteem 
people  who  introduce  justice  into  this  desert.  May  your 
brother  prosper  !  But  you  mention  not  a  word  of  your 
mother.     God   bless  you !     I   am  your  affectionate  friend 

^"^^''■'^"^'  "C.    F.SWARTZ. 

"  Your  blessed  employment,  how  it  rejoiceth  me ! — 
Blessed  be  God  !     Watch  and  pray,  without  ceasing." 

His  next  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers  is  strongly  indicative 
of  that  simple,  yet  elevated,  and  devoted  piety  which  so 
peculiarly  distinguished  Swartz.  The  individual  to  whom 
he  so  painfully  refers,*  had  long  been  connected  with  the 
mission  at  Madras,  but  was  now  involved  in  pecuniary 
embarrassments  arising  from  secular  speculations  and 
engagements,  which  obscured  the  lustre  and  impaired  the 
efficacy  of  his  previous  exemplary  labors.  It  is  consoling 
to  know  that  he  was  spared  for  several  years  after  this 
period,  and  lived  in  some  measure  to  redeem  his  character, 
and  to  prove  the  substantial  excellence  of  his  religious 
principles,  and  the  validity  of  his  Christian  profession  and 

*  The  person  here  referred  to  is  no  doubt  Mr.  .Tohn  Kiernander, 
the  missionary  about  whom  Came,  in  his  "  Lives  of  Eminent 
Missionaries,"  has  attempted  to  throw  an  air  of  sentimentalism. 
Kiernander's  conduct  was  such,  as  entirely  to  disqualify  him  for  the 
place  which  is  given  hiui  with  Eliot,  and  Swartz,  and  Hans  Egede. 
— Am.  Ed. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  191 

hope.  The  allusion,  however,  to  his  case  is  preserved  as 
a  warninnr  to  those  who  may  be  engaged  as  missionaries, 
particularly  in  India,  to  avoid  with  the  utmost  caution,  all 
worldly  occupations  and  pursuits  ;  while  the  kindness  and 
forbearance  exercised  by  Svvartz  upon  this  painful  occa- 
sion may  teach  a  lesson  of  charity  to  all,  as  to  an  offend- 
ing and  fallen  brother. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — I  arrived  here  at  Madras  yesterday  ; 
and  as  1  heard  that  a  vessel  is  to  be  despatched  to-morrow 
for  Bengal,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  write  you  a  line  or 
two.  The  occasion  of  my  taking  this  journey  is  mel- 
ancholy.      Mr.    ,   who    has    brought   disgrace    upon 

himself  and  us  all,  is  dangerously  ill.  Some  friends 
thought  it  necessary  that  I  should  try  to  get  some  infor- 
mation concerning  certain  points  before  he  died.  He  is 
a  little  better,  and  as  I  have  been  dissuaded  from  entering 
upon  that  business,  I  shall  say  no  more  of  it,  except  that 
his  conduct  has  given  me  the  most  pungent  pain.  What 
shall  I  say?  Let  us  watch  and  pray,  lest  we  enter,  fall, 
and  sink  into  temptation.  What  is  man  when  left  to  his 
own  foolish  devices! 

"  Your  truly  friendly  letter  has  revived  me  in  the  midst 
of  all  my  present  anxieties.  The  contents  of  it  are  glad 
tidings  out  of  Sion.     Blessed  be  God  ! 

"  I   rejoice   that  you   have   awakened   in  some  degree 

Mr. .*     O   may  you  be  a  happy  instrument  of  his 

thorough  recovery  !  Your  advice  to  him  not  to  compose 
his  own  sermons  till  he  be  more  perfect  in  the  English 
language  is  prudent.  Any  thing  of  his  own  composition 
in  his  present  condition  would  rather  hinder  edification. 
M<iy  he  have  so  much  good  sense  as  to  follow  the  advice 
of  sincere  friends  ! 

"  It  is  cheering  to  reflect  on  the  externally  devout  be- 
havior of  the  congregation.  O  may  the  Spirit  of  Jesus 
come  on  them  like  a  rain,  that  the  Bengal  desert  may 
become  a  fertile  soil,  and  fruitful  field  of  the  Lord  ! 

"  That  this  time  is  a  time  of  apostasy  and  bias|)liemy 
none  can  deny  ;  but  this  must  not  discourage  us  from 
glorifying  our  God  and  Redeemer.  No;  '  tu  contra 
audentior  ito.'     Who  knows  but  God  may  bless  us  one 

*  A  young  missionary  at  Calcutta. 


192  MEMOIRS  OF 

way  or  other?  And  if,  (which  God  forbid!)  we  should 
seem  to  spend  our  strength  in  vain  ;  yet  the  work  (and 
the  fruit  of  it)  is  the  Lord's. 

"  It  is  a  most  pleasing  reflection  to  me,  which  has  been 
much  strengthened  by  the  reading  of  your  favor,  that  God 
is  able  to  raise  for  himself  servants  to  do  his  will,  and  to 
promote  the  glory  of  his  name,  though  those  who  are 
most  obliged  to  do  it  should  turn  faithless  to  their  charge. 

"  May  you  be  a  burning  and  a  shining  light,  like  St.  John 
— a  light,  full  of  divine  knowledge — burning,  and  vigorous 
to  live  according  to  that  knowledge ;  and  lastly,  shining, 
and  diffusing  that  knowledge  wherever  you  are! 

"  My  poor  prayer  shall  attend  you,  and  your  dear  friends. 
Whenever  1  bow  my  knees  before  the  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  I  shall  often  remember  you,  not  only  because 
you  are  my  friend,  but  because  you  are  a  friend  of  my 
dear  Master. 

"  Remember  me  kindly  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. ,  likewise 

the  young  lady  that  has  dared  to  be  unfashionable,  so  as 
to  count  all  things  but  dross  in  comparison  of  the  excel- 
lency of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  My  prayer  to  God  is, 
that  they  all  may  be  fruitful  branches  ingrafted  into  the 
true  vine,  viz.  Jesus  Christ. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  friend,  abide  in  him,  so  shall  you 
become  daily  move  fruitful,  and  your  fruit  shall  remain 
sure  ;  and,  which  above  all  is  comfortable,  your  prayer 
will  be  acceptable  before  God,  so  that  whatever  you  ask, 
the  Father  in  heaven  will  grant,  on  account  of  Jesus, 
with  whom  you  are  united. 

"  Farewell,  my  dearest  of  all  friends.  Be  strong, 
watch  and  pray.  And  may  God  prosper  you  !  You  shall 
hear  from  me  soon  again.  I  am  constantly  your  affection- 
ate friend  and  servant, 

"C.  F.   SWARTZ. 

"  Major  Stevens's  quarters,  June  25, 1778." 

"  My  old  friend  Obeck  salute  in  the  Lord.  You  will 
pardon  my  writing  so  badly;  but  I  was  obliged  to  do  it  in 
the  night.  Major  Stevens  desires  to  be  remembered  to 
you." 

Major  Stevens,  from  whose  quarters  at  Madras  the  pre- 
ceding letter  is  dated,  had  been  stationed  at  Tanjore,  and 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  193 

was  an  intimate  friend  of  Swartz.  On  the  restoration  of 
the  rajah,  the  zea!  of  this  brave  and  excellent  officer  for 
the  interests  of  religion,  induced  him  to  erect  at  his  own 
expense  a  temporary  building  in  the  large  fort,  in  which 
Swartz  officiated  to  the  English  garrison,  and  other  Chris- 
tians, native  and  European,  in  that  place. 

"  We  had  lost  our  church  in  Tanjore,"  he  observes  in 
a  letter  to  a  friend,  "  after  that  fort  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  nabob.  He  amused  us  with  empty  promises  ; 
but  when  we  were  quite  at  a  loss  where  to  assemble  for 
divine  service,  my  pious  friend.  Major  Stevens,  built  us  a 
fine  mud  wall  church,  which  cost  hira  upwards  of  an 
hundred  star  pagodas.  But  the  congregation  increasing 
rapidly,  and  a  fresh  covering  with  straw  being  requisite 
from  time  to  time,  we  began  in  Jan.  1779  to  tliiuk  of 
building  a  spacious  and  permanent  church.  A  subscrip- 
tion was  set  on  foot,  but  the  amount  was  shamefully  in- 
significant. At  Madras,  about  ten  thousand  pagodas  were 
cheerfully  contributed  towards  erecting  a  phn/house.  But 
to  build  a  house  of  prayer,  people  have  no  money.  Major 
Stevens,  who  could  have  effectually  promoted  the  subscrip- 
tion, and  superintended  the  building,  and  who  intended 
to  return  to  Europe,  and  make  a  faithful  representation  of 
what  might  promote  the  true  interest  of  the  Honorable 
Company,  and  the  welfare  of  this  country,  was  killed  on 
the  14th  of  October,  1778,  before  Pondicherry. 

"  General  Munro,  who  knew,  as  well  as  every  body, 
that  Major  Stevens  and  I  lived  together  as  brethren,  con- 
doled with  me  in  the  kindest  manner,  saying,  'You  will 
not  soon  get  a  Stevens  again  ;  however,  I  request  you  will 
consider  me  as  your  friend.'  Although  we  are  bid  not  to. 
place  our  reliance  upon  men,  and  although  their  promises 
are  seldom  any  thing  more  than  compliments;  yet  I  praise 
the  Lord,  whenever  he  makes  any  one's  heart  willing  to 
further  the  work  of  God,  even  in  the  smallest  degree.  At 
a  visit  which  General  Munro  and  I  paid  the  rajah,  the 
general  observed,  that  Christianity  is  far  to  be  preferred 
to  Paganism.  'I  am  convinced,'  said  the  rajah,  'that  the 
Christian  religion  is  an  hundred  thousand  times  better 
than  idolatry.' — But  the  conduct  of  the  Europeans  makes 
a  bad  impression  on  his  mind. 

"  In  full  reliance  on  the  help  of  God,  I  set  about  the 
building  of  the  church  in  the  little  Fort.     On  the  10th  of 
17 


194  MEMOIRS  OF 

March,  1779,  the  general  laid  the  foundation  stone,  nine 
feet  deep ;  and  the  garrison  being  assembled,  I  preached 
a  short  sermon  from  the  sixty-seventh  Psalm. 

"  As  I  had  rendered  the  general  some  little  service,  by 
translating  the   letter  which   the  Court  of  Directors  had 
written  to  the  king,  by  performing  the  duty  of  a  chaplain 
in  camp,  for  a  short  time,  and  otherwise,  I  was  informed 
that  he  had  requested  government  to  make  me  a  present 
for  my  trouble.     Instantly,  when  I  heard  it,  I  wrote  to 
Madras,    declining  any   present   for   myself;  but   if  they 
would  do  me  a  favor,  1  requested  that  they  would  make  a 
present  of  bricks  and  lime,  of  which  the  company  had 
here  a  quantity  in  store,  towards  building  of  this  church, 
as  we  had  not  even  money  enough  to  pay  the  laborers, 
much  less  to  purchase  materials.     The  general,  who  went 
to  Madras,  promised  to  support  and  promote  my  request." 
It  was  some  time  before  Mr.  Swartz   heard  any  thing 
further   upon   the   subject ;  but   at  length   he  received   a 
letter   from   the  general,  desiring   him  to  repair   without 
delay  to  Madras,  as  the  governor,  Sir  Thomas  Rumbold, 
had  something  of  importance  to  communicate  to  him.    On 
his  arrival  at  the  presidency   he   was  assured  that  his  re- 
quest respecting  the  church  should  be  granted ;  and  was 
informed  of  the  purpose  for  which  he  had  been  summoned. 
This  was  no  other  than  to  undertake  a  confidential  mission 
to  Hyder  Ali  at  Seringapatam,  to  endeavor  to  ascertain 
his  actual  disposition  with  respect  to  the  English,  and  to 
assure  him  of  the  pacific  intentions  of  the  Madras  govern- 
ment. 

Of  this  remarkable  embassy  Swartz  gave  a  brief  ac- 
count in  his  annual  report  to  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge  ;  but  as  his  conduct  throughout  this 
delicate  and  difficult  undertaking  was  equally  honorable  to 
his  ability  and  his  character,  it  deserves  the  more  detailed 
narrative  which  he  transmitted  to  his  friends  in  Germany,* 
and  which  contains  many  curious  and  important  particu- 
lars both  of  his  journey  and  of  his  intercourse  with  the 
very  remarkable  personage  to  whom  he  was  sent.  His 
description  of  Seringapatam  and  of  the  government  of 
Hyder,  at  a  period  when  he  was  at  once  the  terror  and 
the  scourge  of  the  British  possessions   in  India,  will  still 

*  Missionary  Correspondence. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  195 

be  read  with  interest;  though  his  name,  and  that  of  his 
son,  like  those  of  greater  conquerors,  have  ceased  to  excite 
-either  admiration  or  alarm. 

It  has  been  already  observed,  tliat  upon  more  than  one 
occasion  JMr.  Svvartz  had  been  solicited  to  act  as  the 
medium  of  communication  between  the  English  govern- 
ment and  some  of  the  native  princes  of  Hindostan.  This 
is  by  no  means  extraordinary.  His  remarkable  sagacity 
and  penetration,  his  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  native 
languages,  his  extensive  information  and  experience,  his 
calm  temper  and  perfect  self-possession,  his  open  counte- 
nance, and  simple,  ingenuous  manners,  and  above  all, 
his  known  disinterestedness  and  incorruptible  integrity, 
peculiarly  qualified  him  for  such  services. 

But  these,  like  all  his  other  talents  and  acquirements, 
were  directed  and  controlled  by  the  purest  Christian 
principles,  and  rendered  subservient  to  the  honor  of  his 
divine  Lord  and  Master  ;  nor  does  he,  upon  this  or  any 
other  occasion,  appear  for  a  moment  to  have  forgotten  his 
one  great  character  as  a  Christian  missionary. 

On  being  introduced  to  Sir  Thomas  Rumbold,  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  his  instructions  for  the  commission 
with  which  he  was  about  to  be  intrusted,  "  the  governor," 
says  Swartz,  "  addressed  me  nearly  as  follows  :" — 

"  '  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  Hyder  Ali  Cawn 
meditates  warlike  designs  ;  he  has  in  some  letters  ex- 
pressed his  displeasure,  and  even  speaks  in  a  menacing 
tone.  We  wish  to  discover  his  sentiments  in  this  weighty 
affair  with  certainty,  and  think  you  are  the  fittest  person 
for  this  purpose.  You  will  oblige  us  if  you  will  make  a 
journey  thither,  sound  Hyder  Ali,  and  assuje  him  that  we 
entertain  peaceable  thoughts. 

"  'The  reason  why  we  have  fixed  upon  you,  is,  because 
you  understand  the  Hindostanee,  consequently  need  no 
interpreter  in  your  conferences.  We  are  convinced  that 
you  will  act  disinterestedly,  and  will  not  allow  any  one  to 
bribe  you.  You  can  travel  privately  through  the  country, 
without  external  pomp  and  parade,  and  thus  the  whole 
journey  will  remain  a  secret  (which  is  of  great  importance 
to  us)  until  you  reach  llyder  Naik  himself.  You  will  have 
nothing  to  do,  but  to  refer  Hyder  to  his  own  letters,  and  to 
answer  some  dubious  circumstances  ;  and  if  you  perceive 
him  to  be  peaceably  disposed,  inform  him  that  some  prin- 


196  MEMOIRS  OF 

cipal  members  of  council  will  come  to  him  to  settle  the 
business  finally.  As  the  intention  of  the  journey  is  good 
and  Christian,  namely,  to  prevent  the  effusion  of  human 
blood,  and  to  preserve  this  country  in  peace,  tiiis  commis- 
sion militates  not  against,  but  highly  becomes,  your  sacred 
office  ;   and  therefore  we  hope  you  will  accept  it.'  " 

This  unexpected  proposal,  as  may  be  readily  imagined, 
surprised  and  perplexed  the  good  missionary.  "  I  re- 
quested time,"  he  says,  "  for  reflection,  intending  to  lay 
the  case  in  retirement  before  God.  It  immediately  oc- 
curred to  me  that  it  was  in  more  than  one  respect  an 
undertaking  of  danger." — It  was,  indeed,  truly  such,  both 
from  the  nature  of  the  country  through  which  he  was 
to  pass,  and  from  the  fierce  and  perfidious  character 
of  the  despotic  chief  whose  territories  he  was  about  to 
enter. 

"  Having  implored  wisdom  from  above,  I  thought  it," 
he  continues,  "  my  duty  not  to  decline  the  proposal.  The 
grounds  wiiich  determined  me,  were, 

"  1st.  Because  the  mission  to  Hyder  was  not  attended 
with  any  political  intrigues.  To  preserve  the  blessings 
of  peace  was  the  only  aim  I  had  in  view,  and  at  that  time 
I  really  belirved  Sir  Thomas's  intentions  to  be  upright 
and  peaceable.  I  considered,  that  if  God,  according  to 
the  riches  of  his  mercy,  would  vouchsafe  to  employ  me 
as  an  instrument  to  establish  the  happiness  of  British 
India,  I  durst  not  withdraw  myself,  nor  shrink  back  on 
account  of  the  danger  of  the  undertaking,  of  which  I 
was  fully  aware;  but  I  ventured  upon  it  in  firm  reliance 
upon  God  and  his  fatherly  protection. 

"2d.  Because  this  would  enable  me  to  announce  the 
gospel  of  God  my  Saviour  in  many  parts,  where  it  had 
never  been  known  before.      And, 

"  8d.  As  the  Honorable  Company  and  the  government 
had  shown  me  repeated  kindness,  I  conceived  that  by  this 
journey  I  might  give  them  some  marks  of  my  gratitude. 

"  But  at  the  same  time  1  resolved  to  keep  my  hands 
undefiled  from  any  presents,  by  which  determination  the 
Lord  enabled  me  to  abide  ;  so  that  I  have  not  accepted  a 
single  farthing,  save  my  travelling  expenses. 

"These,"  he  adds,  "  having  been  given  me,  I  return- 
ed to  Tanjore,   where  I  left  directions  with  the  native 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  197 

teachers,  how  they  were  to  act  during  my  absence,  and  to 
Trichinopoly,  where  I  preached  to  the  Europeans  and 
natives  in  the  absence  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pohle,  who  was 
on  a  tour  to  Palamcotta." 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1779,  he  set  out  from  Trichinopoly  on 
his  important  and  honorable  mission,  accompanied  by  his 
able  catechist,  Sattianaden.  He  stopped  the  first  night  at 
Curuttaley.a  beautiful  place  near  the  Cavery,  the  aqueduct 
from  which  irrigating  the  low  south  lands,  enabled  the 
nabob  to  reap  the  fields  thrice  every  year  as  far  as  Trichi- 
nopoly. The  catechist  here  read  to  the  inhabitants,  and 
many  attending  brahmins,  from  the  Tamul  dialogues  be- 
tween a  Christian  and  a  heathen.  On  the  6th  they  halted 
at  Catlaley,  and  conversed  with  many  of  the  natives  on 
the  salvation  of  the  gospel  ;  in  the  evening  they  arrived 
at  Caroor,  the  frontier  fort  of  Hyder,  about  forty  English 
miles  from  Trichinopoly. 

Here  he  found  the  son  of  a  Dutch  gentleman  at  Co- 
lombo, with  whom  he  had  once  resided  for  several  months, 
and  who  had  shown  him  much  kindness.  This  young 
man  had  been  most  liberally  established  in  Ceylon  by  his 
father  ;  but  being  offended  by  the  refusal  of  some  trifling 
request,  he  went  in  disgust  to  Negapatam,  involved  himself 
in  hazardous  speculations,  was  obliged  to  withdraw  from 
Madras,  where  he  next  resided,  and  at  length  entered  into 
the  service  of  Hyder  Ali,  raised  recruits  for  him,  and  incur- 
red debts,  in  the  hope  that  he  would  pay  for  them.  Hyder 
allowed  iiim  a  salary  ;  but  deducted  more  than  one-half 
monthly,  for  the  purpose  of  liquidating  his  debts.  Here 
he  passed  his  life  in  sorrow,  sighing  over  his  folly,  yet  not 
thoroughly  disposed  to  renounce  it.  Hence  he  engaged 
in  new  speculations,  which  only  added  to  his  perplexities. 
"  How  many,"  observes  Swartz,  "  have  I  known,  who, 
from  determined  self-will,  have  lost  their  prosperity,  their 
lives,  nay,  too  often,  it  is  to  be  feared,  their  eternal  salva- 
tion !  O  how  should  parents  and  teachers  endeavor  to 
inculcate  on  those  intrusted  to  them,  humility,  and  the 
subjugation  of  their  own  will !" 

At  Caroor  he  remained  a  month,  having  to  write  to 
Hyder  for  permission  to  advance,  and  to  await  his  an- 
swer. During  this  interval,  which  to  many  would  have 
proved  tedious  and  uninteresting,  Swartz  fotind  full  and 
most  useful  occupation.  With  his  young  friend  from 
17* 


198  MEMOIRS   OF 

Ceylon,  and  his  family,  he  performed  divit)e  service. 
Some  of  his  servants  he  instructed,  and  baptized.  In  the 
place  itself,  he  and  Sattianaden  proclaimed  the  majesty 
of  God,  the  deep  corruption  of  man,  the  mighty  Saviour, 
and  the  nature  and  necessity  of  repentance  and  faith  in 
him.  Upon  these  occasions,  the  street  was  often  quite 
filled.  Many  listened  attentively.  A  brahmin  said, 
"  This  is  deep  wisdom."  A  young  man  replied  to  his 
exhortation,  "  Look  at  the  water  in  the  river  :  will  it 
assume  another  color?  As  little  shall  we  change." 
Some  objected,  that  it  was  repugnant  to  them  to  receive 
the  Christian  doctrine,  though  they  acknowledged  it  to 
be  good,  from  Europeans.  Were  it  preached  by  brah- 
mins, it  would  be  more  acceptable. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  Svvartz  and  his  catechist  left 
Caroor,  teaching  and  conversing  with  heathens  and  Ro- 
man Christians  by  the  way.  On  the  8th,  being  Sunday, 
they  staid  at  Curremudi,  where  he  was  joined  by  his 
friend  and  his  family  from  Caroor.  He  preached  to  them 
from  the  19th  of  St.  Luke.  "  We  were  on  the  banks," 
he  says,  "  of  the  river  Cavery,.  where  beautiful  trees 
render  the  scene  very  delightful.  We  had  a  long  dis- 
course with  a  pandaram,  on  the  principal  subjects  of 
religion.  When  he  heard  of  the  resurrection,  he  said, 
'  What  is  this  ?     Can  the  body  rise  again  1 '  " 

The  next  day  they  came  to  Errode,  where  they  ob- 
served the  vestiges  of  the  English  army,  which  had  some 
years  since  encamped  there,  and  captured  the  fort.  In 
the  afternoon,  they  arrived  at  Bovany.  "  This,"  says 
Svvartz,  "  is  an  island  formed  by  the  Cavery,  and  highly 
venerated  by  the  Hindoos.  As  we  were  to  halt  here  for 
some  time,  I  visited  the  inhabitants,  inspected  the  pa- 
goda, and  the  lovely  spots  near  the  river,  where  the 
brahmins  are  accustomed  to  assemble.  The  streams 
flowing  on  each  side,  and  the  lofty  and  branching  trees, 
refresh  the  eye  and  the  spirits  much  more  than  in  Europe. 
Several  brahmins  pressed  me  to  visit  them,  when  I  set 
before  them  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  earnestly  admon- 
ished and  exhorted  them.  Apparently,  they  approved 
all ;  but  there  it  rested.  '  We  have  already  heard  of 
you,  said  one  ;  how  you  have  declared  the  true  law  at 
Caroor.' " 

On  the  I4th,  they  reached  Sattimungulum,  after  trav- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  199 

elling  for  more  than  a  day  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains. 
The  fort  stands  on  a  high  rock,  opposite  to  which  is  a 
pagoda,  from  which  Colonel  Wood  bombarded  and  cap- 
tured it  without  much  trouble.  The  marks  of  the  shot 
were  distinctly  visible.  Being  Sunday,  divine  service 
was  performed  with  his  friends  from  Caroor,  and  Svvartz 
preached  from  Luke  xviii. 

Three  days  afterwards,  the  party  arrived  at  Guzzul- 
hatty,  close  to  the  pass.  The  heat  was  intense,  and 
formidable  mountains  were  before  them.  "  Early  on  the 
I8th,"  he  writes,  "  we  set  forth,  not  without  fear,  and 
prayer  to  God,  for  his  fatherly  protection.  A  multitude 
of  people  accompanied  us.  ft]  any  carried  a  piece  of 
wood,  which  they  lighted,  not  only  to  render  the  path 
more  discernible,  but  to  deter  the  tigers.  The  mountain 
is  ascended  gradually.  In  many  places,  it  is  steep.  If 
one  looks  down  into  the  abyss,  the  head  becomes  quite 
giddy.  The  path  is  frequently  narrow  ;  so  that  if  you 
slip,  it  is  all  over  with  you.  But  the  trees,  which  grow 
on  all  sides,  conceal  the  danger.  When  we  had  mounted 
about  half  way  up  the  hill,  the  sun  rose,  and  we  beheld 
the  numerous  heights  and  depths  with  astonishment,  and 
admiration  of  God.  The  eye  cannot  satiate  itself  with 
gazing  ;  so  that  the  dread  of  tigers  is  forgotten.  Often 
we  had  a  summit  on  our  left,  and  a  fearful  abyss  on  our 
right.  We  directed  the  people  around  us  to  the  majesty, 
the  might,  and  the  inconceivable  greatness  of  God.  The 
heights  and  declivities  which  weary  the  traveller,  are  his 
work  ;  and  He  has  created  them  that  they  may  proclaim 
his  glory.  But  wretched  man  looks  off  from  these  won- 
ders, and  makes  to  himself  worthless  images,  and  says, 
Ye  are  our  gods  ! 

"  About  nine  o'clock,  we  had  surmounted  the  pass, 
and  its  seven  lofty  ridges.  We  expecte<l  that  we  should 
nov/  have  to  descend  ;  but  it  was  a  plain  before  us,  and 
we  perceived,  with  surprise,  that  the  Mysore  country  is  a 
full  English  mile  higher  than  the  Carnatic.  During  the 
whole  way,  the  people  saw  but  one  small  tiger,  though 
there  are  thousands  of  them  in  these  mountains.  Having 
reached  a  village,  we  began  to  rest  ourselves,  w-hen  a 
thunder-storm  came  on,  one  clap  of  which  was  so  loud, 
that  tlie  whole  mountain  seemed  to  be  shaken  in  pieces. 

"  On  the  19th,  we  proceeded,  and  had  another  hill  to 


200  MEMOIRS  OF 

climb ;  fearful,  on  account  of  the  tigers,  but  not  to  be 
compared,  in  elevation,  >vith  the  first.  There  was  a 
tolerably  spacious  choultry  ;  and,  on  entering  into  conver- 
sation with  the  people,  a  brahmin  said,  '  No  man  lives  so 
holy.  Only  let  money  be  oflered  to  any  one,  and  all  his 
good  resolutions  vanish  ! '"—an  observation  which,  how- 
ever but  too  true  of  the  generality  of  mankind,  and 
particularly  of  the  Hindoos,  was  most  remarkably  refiited 
by  the  pure  and  perfect  disinterestedness  of  the  admirable 
person  to  vvhou".  it  was  addressed. 

The  following  day,  the  party  came  to  Arryacottah, 
where  Swartz  conversed  in  Ilindostanee  with  the  brah- 
mins on  religious  topics.  The  chief  brahmin,  however, 
sent  and  called  him  away,  fearing  that  Hyder  might  hear 
of  it,  and  think  that  they  were  conferring  on  political 
subjects.  "  Hyder,"  he  added,  "  is  quite  unconcerned 
as  to  religion.  He  has  none  himself,  and  leaves  every 
one  else  to  his  choice."  The  observation  was  perfectly 
true,  and  affords  a  striking  contrast  to  the  despotic  gov- 
ernment of  this  successful  adventurer  in  every  other 
respect,  and  to  the  relentless  bigotry  of  his  son. 

"  On  the  22d  of  August,"  continues  Swartz,  "  being 
Sunday,  we  halted  at  Madenemuley,  u  pleasant  little 
town.  I  first  held  divine  service  by  the  river,  under  the 
green  trees.  We  meditated  on  the  gospel  for  the  day, 
respecting  the  deaf  and  dumb,  and  besought  God  to  com- 
passionate us,  and  this  benighted  land. 

"  The  country  was  very  delightful,  verdant,  and  well 
planted  with  trees.  The  air  was  fresh,  and  the  nights 
rather  cold  ;  so  that  a  covering  was  quite  needful.  A 
scarcity  of  rain  having  for  some  time  prevailed,  the  poor 
heathen  imagined,  that  if  the  brahmins  would  only  submit 
to  certain  painful  ceremonies,  God  would  soon  send  them 
rain;  since  tliey  supposed  that  he  was  pleased  with  such 
austerities.  One  of  those  who  was  present,  exclaimed, 
'  Our  religion  is  a  complete  system  of  fraud  ! ' 

"  Over  the  river  which  flows  by  this  place,  is  a  bridge, 
of  twenty-three  arches  ;  and,  after  rain,  the  superinten- 
dent is  required  to  send  people  to  repair  it,  wherever 
any  earth  is  washed  away  from  its  sides.  It  is  Hyder's 
economical  regulation,"  observes  Swartz,  "  to  repair 
every  thing  immediately  ;  by  which  means,  all  is  main- 
tained in  good  condition,   and  much  expense  is  saved. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  201 

Among  the  Europeans  in  the  Carnatic,  all  is  suffered  to 
go  to  ruin."* 

"  On  the  24th  of  August,"  he  continues,  "  we  arrived 
at  the  fort  of  Mysore,  from  which  the  country  takes  its 
name,  and  observed,  with  deliglit,  the  beauty  of  the  sur- 
rounding scenery.  A  high  hill,  on  which  a  pagoda  is 
built,  was  formerly  dangerous  to  travellers.  The  Pagan 
mountaineers  imagining  that  their  deities  took  peculiar 
pleasure  in  the  offering  of  a  human  nose,  frequently 
rushed  out  upon  travellers,  cut  off  their  noses,  and  offered 
them  to  their  idols.  Hyder  has,  however,  strictly  forbid- 
den this  cruel  practice  ;  so  that  travellers  may  now  proceed 
on  their  way  in  safety.  From  this  eminence,  we  had  a 
distinct,  but  distant,  view  of  Seringapatan),  which  we 
reached  the  next  day.  We  crossed  the  river,  over  a 
bridge,  which,  together  with  the  strong  columns  on  which 
it  is  constructed,  is  built  entirely  of  stone.  On  the  other 
side  of  the  fortress,  there  is  another  arm  of  the  river  ; 
so  that  Seringapatam  is  an  island.  From  the  point  at 
which  the  river  divides  into  these  two  branches,  the  for- 
tifications commence. 

"  I  had  a  tent  pitched  on  the  glacis,  as  I  found  it  toa 
close  and  sultry  in  the  fort  itself;  and  an  epidemic  fever 
raged  within  ;  but  I  had,  at  all  times,  full  liberty  to  enter. 
The  fortifications  have  a  grand  appearance  ;  but  Euro- 
peans think  that  the  works  are  not  strong.  I  am  not 
able,  and  do  not  wish,  to  pronounce  an  opinion  on  them. 
The  rampart  round  the  walls  is  not  broad.  Many  of  the 
houses  are  of  two  stories  ;  and  some  of  the  ancient  build- 
ings are  of  hewn  stone,  with  lofty  aiid  massive  columns. 

"The  palace  of  Hyder  Ali,  built  by  himself,  is  very 
beautiful,  according  to  the  style  of  eastern  architecture. 
It  is  entirely  of  hewn  stone,  with  numerous  pillars.  At 
the  extremity  of  the  pagoda  stands  the  ancient  palace  of 
the  kings  of  Mysore.  The  former  possessor  of  the  throne, 
to  whom  Hyder  allows  an  annual  income,  still  inhabits  it. 
He  has  his  servants,  but  is  treated  as  a  prisoner  of  stale. 
Hyder  himself  sometimes  visits  him,  and  stands  in  his 
presence  as  a  servant.  Thus  men  of  the  world  can  dis- 
semble. The  king's  sons  are  all  dead  ;  and  the  general 
opinion  is,  that  they  were  secretly  despatched. 

*  This,  it  ipust  be  remembered,  was  written  more  than  fifty  j^ea:;* 
since.    Siich  inismanagement  (Joes  not  now  exist. 


202  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  Opposite  to  the  palace,  is  a  large  square,  on  two  sides 
of  which  are  open  buildings,  in  which  the  military  and 
civil  servants  of  Hyder  have  their  appointed  stations  for 
conducting  public  business.  He  can  overlook  them  from 
his  balcony  ;  and,  as  they  are  required,  at  appointed  hours, 
to  be  in  the  places  assigned  them,  to  receive  the  reports  of 
the  country  and  army,  whoever  has  business  to  transact, 
knows  where  to  find  them.  Here  reigns  no  pomp  ;  but 
the  utmost  regularity  and  despatch. 

"  Though  Hyder  sometimes  rewards  his  servants,  the 
main  spring  of  action  here  is  terror.  Every  one  performs 
his  part  from  a  motive  of  fear,  well  knowing  the  conse- 
quences of  any  neglect  of  duty.  Persons  of  the  highest, 
as  well  as  of  the  meanest,  condition,  are  punished  with  the 
same  instrument.  The  tyrant  keeps  two  hundred  men,  with 
whips  in  constant  readiness;  and  no  day  passes,  without 
many  being  chastised.  The  governor  of  a  whole  district 
is  whipped  in  the  same  manner  as  the  meanest  groom. 
Hyder  treats  them  all  alike.  Even  his  two  sons,  and  his 
son-in-law,  are  liable  to  the  same  cruel  usage.  When  any 
one  of  his  highest  officers  has  been  thus  publicly  flogged, 
he  does  not  allow  him  to  resign  his  employment,  but  com- 
pels him  to  retain  it,  that  the  marks  of  the  whip  on  his 
person  may  serve  to  deter  him  from  repeating  the  offencei 
for  he  seems  to  think  that  almost  all  persons  who  seek  to 
enrich  themselves,  are  devoid  of  all  principles  of  honor. 

"Entering  the  palace  one  evening,  I  observed  in  the 
audience  chamber  a  number  of  people  sitting  in  a  circle. 
By  tlieir  dress,  I  perceived  that  they  were  collectors  of 
districts;  and  in  their  countenances,  the  marks  of  anxious 
fear  were  visible.  I  was  informed,  by  Hyder's  Persian 
secretary,  that  they  were  come  to  submit  their  accounts. 
They  appeared  to  me  like  criminals  expecting  death. 
Very  few  were  able  to  render  these  to  Hyder's  satisfac- 
tion ;  and,  in  consequence,  dreadful  punishments  were 
daily  inflicted.  I  liardly  know  whether  to  mention  how 
one  of  these  unhappy  men  was  treated.  The  poor  crimi- 
nal was  tied  to  a  post ;  two  men  approached  with  whips, 
ai]d  flogged  him  in  the  most  cruel  manner,  the  pointed 
nails  lacerating  his  flesh.  The  cries  of  the  wretched 
victim  were  most  heart  piercing. 

"  But,  notwithstanding  this  severity  of  punishment, 
there  are  numbers  who  eagerlv  seek  these  lucrative  ein-o. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  203 

ployments,  and  even  outbid  each  other.  The  brahmins 
are  the  worst  in  this  traffic.  When  one  of  them  has 
obtained  a  district,  he  fleeces  the  inhabitants  without  re- 
morse. At  length,  when  called  upon  by  Hyder  for  his 
arrears,  he  pleads  poverty;  and,  having  undergone  a 
flagellation,  returns  to  renew  his  exactions.  (Jan  we  be 
surprised  if  the  people,  under  such  a  government,  lose  all 
sense  of  shame  1 

"Hyder's  army  is  under  the  management  of  four  chief 
officers,  (called  baschshi.)  They  may  be  considered  as 
pay-maslers  ;  but  their  office  is  not  confined  to  paying  the 
troops,  as  they  have  to  provide  for  the  recruiting  service, 
and  to  regulate  other  military  matters,  being  likewise 
judges  for  the  decision  of  private  quarrels.  With  these 
people  I  often  conversed.  Some  of  them  speak  Persian  ; 
others,  only  Uindostanee,  and  are  all  Mohammedans. 
They  once  asked  me  what  is  the  most  acceptable  prayer, 
and  to  whom  ought  it  to  be  addressed  ?  I  explained  to 
them,  that  as  sinful  creatures,  and  therefore  deserving 
eternal  death,  we  could  only  approach  the  Almighty  in 
the  name  of  the  Mediator,  Jesus  Christ;  and  then  ex- 
pounded the  Lord's  Prayer.  They  next  inquired,  whether 
the  Lord  Jesus,  in  his  gospel,  had  fixed  the  period  of  his 
coming,  and  of  the  day  of  judgment.  In  reply  to  this,  I 
explained  to  them  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel ;  to  some, 
in  Tamu!  ;  to  others,  in  Hindostanee.  As  the  household 
of  Hyder  consisted  chiefly  of  brahmins,  I  had  very  fre- 
quent conversations  with  them.  Some  of  them  gave  me 
very  modest  answers;  whilst  others  avoided  the  discussion, 
and  gave  me  to  understand  that  they  did  not  consider  their 
temples  to  have  been  built  in  vain.  The  '  buildings,'  I  re- 
plied, 'may  be  useful;  but  the  idols  you  worship,  are 
worthless.' 

"Without  the  fort,  several  hundred  Europeans  were 
encamped  ;  some  of  whom  were  French  ;  others,  Ger- 
mans. I  also  met  with  a  few  Malabar  Christians,  whom 
I  had  instructed  at  Trichinopoly.  To  find  them,"  he 
adds,  with  true  pastoral  feeling,  "  in  that  country,  far 
from  all  Christian  ordinances,  was  painful  ;  but,  to  renew 
the  instruction  which  they  had  formerly  received,  was 
very  comfortable.  Captain  Buden,  the  commander  of  the 
German  troops,  lent  me  his  tent,  in  which  I  performed 
divine  service  every  Sunday,  without  asking  permissiQn ; 


204  MEMOIRS   OF 

acting  in  this  as  one  bound,  in  conscience,  to  do  liis  duty. 
We  sang,  preached,  and  prayed,  no  one  presuming  to 
hinder  us.  The  whole  1  considered  as  a  kind  providence 
of  God. 

"In  Hyder's  palace,  high  and  low  came,  inquiring  of 
me  the  nalure  of  the  Christian  doctrine  ;  so  that  I  could 
speak  as  long  as  my  strength  allowed.  H3der's  younger 
son  (not  Tippoo)  seeing  me  in  the  durbar,  or  hall  of 
audience,  saluted  me  in  a  friendly  manner,  and  invited 
me  to  pay  him  a  visit  in  his  own  apartments.  I  told  him 
I  would  come  most  cheerfully,  provided  his  father  would 
give  permission  ;  since  to  do  so,  without  his  consent, 
might  prove  injurious  both  to  himself  and  to  me.  Of  this 
he  was  perfectly  aware.  Even  the  most  intimate  friends 
do  not  venture  to  speak  their  mind  freely.  Hyder  has 
every  where  his  spies  ;  but  I  knew  very  well,  that,  on  the 
subject  of  religion,  I  might  discourse  day  and  night, 
without  fear  of  giving  him  the  least  offence. 

"  When  I  was  admitted  to  an  audience,  Hyder  bade 
me  sit  next  to  him  on  the  floor,  which  was  covered  with 
the  richest  carpets;  and  I  was  not  required  to  take  off  my 
shoes.  He  listened  to  all  I  had  to  say  ;*  expressed  him- 
self in  a  very  frank  and  open  manner,  and  told  me,  that, 
notwithstanding  the  Europeans  had  violated  their  public 
engagements,  he  was  willing  to  live  in  peace  with  them. 
A  letter  was  then  read  to  me,  which  had  been  prepared 
by  his  order.  '  In  this  letter,'  said  he,  '  I  have  stated  the 
substance  of  our  conversation  ;  but  you  will  be  able  to 
give  further  explanations  personally.'  Hyder  seemed,  by 
this  expression,  to  consider  my  visit  as  the  preliminary 
to  a  treaty  of  peace  ;  but  the  nabob  at  Madras  defeated 
all  these  intentions. 

"  Whilst  sitting  near  Hyder,  I  was  struck  with  the 
expeditious  manner  in  which  the  public  business  was 
despatched.  When  he  had  ceased  conversing  with  me, 
some  letters  were  read  to  him,  and  he  dictated  an  im- 
mediate answer.  The  secretaries  hastened  away,  wrote 
the  letter,  read  it  before  him,  and  he  affixed  his  seal  to  it. 


*  In  his  account  of  this  interview  to  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge,  Swartz  says,  "  Hyder  Ali  gave  a  plain  answer 
to  all  the  questions  I  was  ordered  to  put  to  him  ;  so  that  the  honor- 
able Board  at  Madras  received  the  information  they  desired." 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  205 

In  this  way,  many  letters  were  written  in  the  course  of 
the  evening.  Hyder  himself  can  neither  read  nor  write  ; 
but  he  has  an  excellent  memory.  Few  have  the  courage 
to  impose  upon  him.  He  orders  one  to  write  a  letter,  and 
then  has  it  read  to  him  ;  after  which,  he  calls  another, 
and  hears  it  read  a  second  time  ;  and  if  the  secretary  has 
not  strictly  conveyed  his  meaning,  or  has  in  the  least 
deviated  from  his  orders,  his  head  pays  for  it. 

"  I  frequently  sat  with  him  in  a  room,  adorned  with 
marble  pillars,  opening  into  the  garden,  which,  though  not 
large,  as  it  could  not  be  in  the  fort,  was  neatly  laid  out 
with  trees,  which  were  grafted,  and  bore  two  kinds  of  fruit; 
rows  of  cypresses,  fountains,  iSic.  Observing  a  number 
of  youths  carrying  earth  into  the  garden,  I  inquired  re- 
specting them,  and  was  told  that  Hyder  had  e5tal)lished 
a  battalion  of  boys,  all  of  whom  were  orphans,  and  whom 
he  had  taken  under  his  protection  ;  boarding,  and  clothing 
them,  and  furni.shing  them  with  wooden  guns,  for  the 
purpose  of  teaching  them  their  exercise.  This  care  of 
poor  orphans  really  pleased  me  ;  and  1  wish  our  govern- 
ment would,  in  this  particular,  imitate  his  example,  and 
improve  upon  it,  particularly  as  to  religious  instruction, 
so  as  it  becomes  Britons,  and  as  God  will  certainly  require 
it  at  our  hands,  who  hath  armed  us  wiih  power,  that  we 
should  use  it  chiefly  for  his  .service  and  glory,  and  not 
merely  for  our  own.* 

"On  the  last  evening,  when  I  took  my  leave  of  Hyder, 
he  reque.sted  me  to  speak  Persian  before  him,  as  I  had 
done  with  some  of  his  attendants.  Of  this  language  he 
understood  a  little,  but  he  does  not  speak  it.  I  did  so  ; 
and  explained  the  motives  of  my  journey  to  him.  '  You 
may  perhaps  wonder,'  said  I,  '  what  could  have  induced 
me,  a  priest,  who  has  nothing  to  do  with  political  concerns, 
to  come  to  you,  and  that  on  an  errand  which  does  not 
properly  belong  to  my  sacerdotal  functions.  But  as  I  was 
plainly  told,  that  the  sole  object  of  my  journey  was  the 

*  The  benevolent  missionary  was  here  misinformed,  or  he  would 
not  thus  have  eulogized  Hyder's  supposed  humanity.  The  battalion 
alluded  to,  was  formed  of  boys,  called  chelahs,  or  captives,  selected, 
at  the  proper  aore.  from  the  numbers  carried  away  after  one  of  the 
sieges  of  Chittledroog,  to  people  the  island  of  Seringapatam,  and 
trained,  like  the  Turkish  Janissaries,  for  the  military  service  of  this 
tyrant. 

IS 


206  MEMOIRS  OF 

preservation  and  confirmation  of  peace  ;  and  having  wit- 
nessed, more  than  once,  the  misery  and  horrors  attending 
on  war;  I  thought  within  my  own  mind,  how  happy  I 
should  deem  myself,  if  I  could  be  of  service  in  cementing 
a  durable  friendship  between  the  two  governments  :  and 
thus  securing  the  blessings  of  peace  to  this  devoted 
country,  and  its  inhabitants.  This,  I  considered  as  a 
commission  in  no  wise  inconsistent  with  my  office  as  a 
minister  of  a  religion  of  peace.'  He  said,  with  great 
cordiality,  *  Very  well !  very  well  !  I  am  of  the  same 
opinion  with  you  ;  and  my  only  wish  is,  that  the  English 
would  live  in  peace  with  me.  If  they  offer  me  the  hand 
of  peace  and  concord,  I  shall  not  withdraw  mine,  pro- 
vided— '  "  "  But  of  these  mysterious  provisions,  nothing," 
observes  Colonel  Wilks,  "can  now  be  ascertained." 

"  1  then,"  adds  Svvartz,  "  took  my  leave;  and, on  enter- 
ing my  palanquin,  I  found  three  hundred  rupees,  which 
he  had  sent  me,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  my  journey."' 

The  conscientious  missionary  wished  to  decline  this 
present,  but  was  told  by  Hyder's  officers  that  it  would 
endanger  their  lives,  if  they  presumed  to  take  it  back. 
He  then  expressed  his  desire  to  return  it  in  person ;  but  be 
was  informed  that  it  was  contrary  to  etiquette  to  re-admit 
him  into  their  master's  presence,  after  having  had  his 
audience  of  leave,  or  to  receive  any  written  representation 
on  the  subject  ;  and  that  Hyder,  knowing  that  a  great 
present  would  offend  him,  had  purposely  limited  it  to  the 
lowest  amount  of  travelling  expenses. 

Such  is  Mr.  Swartz's  interesting  narrative  of  this  sin- 
gular embassy.  Too  much  praise  can  scarcely  be  given 
to  his  conduct  throughout  this  difficult  undertaking. 
While  his  piety  engaged  the  protection  and  favor  of 
Heaven,  his  frank  and  manly  bearing  evidently  disarmed 
the  hostility,  and  won  the  confidence,  of  the  Mysorean 
chief  The  natives  of  India  are  said  to  be  expert  in 
appreciating  character,  and  Hyder  Ali  possessed  this 
talent  in  an  eminent  degree.  He  failed  not  to  discern, 
under  the  simple  and  pious  demeanor  of  Swartz,  a  mind 
of  no  common  order  ;  a  degree  of  talent  and  of  fearless 
integrity  which  he  could  neither  deceive  nor  alarm,  and 
which  at  once  commanded  his  respect  and  conciliated  his 
regard.  Had  the  Madras  governor  been  as  penetrating 
with  respect  to  the  character  and  designs  of  Hyder,  and 


THE   REV.   C.  F.  SVVARTZ.  207 

as  sincere  in  his  professions  of  peace,  as  his  admirable 
envoy,  the  storm  which  soon  afterwards  burst  over  the 
Carnatic,  might  have  been  retarded,  if  not  altogether 
averted. 

By  the  most  unhappy  coincidence,*  Swartz  arrived  at 
Seringapatam  a  few  days  after   Hyder  had  received  intel- 
ligence of  an   attempt  on   the  part  of  a   body  of  British 
troops  to  pass  without  permission   through    his  territory. 
This  event  was   not  calculated   to   allay  the   resentment 
which  he  had  long  cherished  against  the  English  on  other 
accounts  ;  and  in  fact,  though  gracious   and  condescend- 
ing to  the  venerable  missionary,  in   the  letter  to  the  gov- 
ernor,   of   which   he   was    the    bearer,   Ilyder   evidently 
betrayed  his  irritation   and    his    hostile   disposition.      He 
reviewed  the  conduct  of  the    English  as  connected  with 
Mohammed  Ali,  from  his  refusal  to  resign  the  province  of 
Trichinopoly,  as  he  had  promised  in  175'2,  to  their  breach 
of  the  treaty  of  mutual  support  and  defence  in  17G9,  in 
consequence  of  which   his  affairs  had  been  nearly  ruined, 
in   his   contest  with  the   Malirattas,  and  enumerated  the 
capture  of  Mahe   from   tlio   French,  the   conduct  of  the 
nabob's  officers   on   the  frontiers,  and  of  the  Company's 
servants   at   Tellicherry,   in    affording  protection    to    his 
rebellious  subjects,  as  so  many  proofs  of  their  determina- 
tion to  break  with  him  ;  adding  with  fearful  emphasis,  "  / 
have  not  yd  taken  my  revenge,  and  it  is  no  malter.     When 
such  conduct  is  pursued,  what  engagements   will  remain 
inviolate !     I  leave  you  to  judge  on   whose  part   treaties 
and   promises   have   been    broken.     You   are   acquainted 
with  all  things;  it  is  right  to  act  with  prudence  and  fore- 
sight."     From    the    haughty    usurper    of    Mysore,    what 
could  be  more  intelligible,  or  more  menacing,  than  such 
language  as  this ! 

On  the  return  of  Mr.  Swartz,  the  governor  communi- 
cated for  the  first  time  to  his  council  the  result  of  a 
mission,  which  it  seems  iiad  been  undertaken  without 
their  knowledge.  The  only  documents  recorded  on  that 
occasion,  are  Sir  Thomas  Rumbold's  letter  to  Hyder,  and 
his  reply,  which  have  been  already  adverted  to,  and  which 
intimated  that  Mr.  Swartz  would  inform  the  governor  of 
several  matters   with   which   he   had   charged    him.     No 

*  Wilks's  South  of  India,  vol.  ii.  p.  242. 


208  MEMOIRS  OF 

entry,  however,  appears  on  the  records,  of  any  such  in- 
formation ;  nor  a  single  line  of  report  or  communication 
in  any  form  upon  this  important  subject. 

The  able  historian  of  the  South  of  India  justly  ex- 
presj^es  his  surprise  at  this  omission,  as  well  as  that  no 
such  report  liad  ever  been  officially  called  for.  He  adds, 
what  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  can  confirm,  that  upon 
various  inquiries,  both  in  India  and  in  England,  no  doc- 
unieut  of  this  nature  has  been  discovered,  and  that  in  the 
preceding  extracts  from  the  correspondence  of  Mr.  Swartz, 
a  mysterious  blank  is  interposed  at  the  very  point  on  which 
the  desired  information  is  wanting.  "  The  nabob  and 
ot/iers,  frustrated  all  hopes  of  peace." — 

The  truth  appears  to  have  been,  that  full  information  of 
all  that  passed  between  himself  and  Hyder  Ali  was 
afforded  by  the  pious  missionary  on  his  return,  to  the 
governor  of  Madras,  and  that,  with  his  characteristic  can- 
dor and  fidelity,  he  communicated  his  own  impressions  as 
to  the  state  of  affairs.  Swartz  himself  was  not  deceived 
as  to  the  probability  of  an  approaching  rupture.  He 
clearly  foresaw,  and  in  subsequent  letters  to  his  friends 
plainly  adverted  to  the  intrigues  of  the  nabob,  and  the 
misconduct  of  other  persons,  as  the  causes  of  this  calam- 
itous event.  May  it  not,  therefore,  be  conjectured,  that 
the  report  of  the  result  of  his  mission  to  Hyder  was  not 
recorded,  because  it  little  coincided  with  the  prevalent 
views  of  the  Madras  government  ? 

"  These  extracts,"  says  Colonel  Wilks,*  "  are  added, 
for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting  the  amount  of  the  lights 
which  they  afford  regarding  the  nature  of  the  mission,  and 
of  furnishing  a  curious  and  interesting  picture  of  the 
mind,  of  this  venerable  Christian,  who  seems  to  have 
deemed  the  political  mission  no  farther  worthy  of  notice, 
than  as  it  tended  to  promote  a  particular  object  of  spiritual 
pursuit." 

In  his  last  observation,  this  candid  and  eloquent  writer 
by  no  means  does  justice  to  the  character  and  views  of 
Swartz.  It  was,  indeed,  one  of  the  motives  which  in- 
duced him  to  undertake  the  embassy  to  Hyder  Ali,  that  it 
would  afford  him  an  opportunity  of  pursuing  the  higher 
objects  of  his  sacred   mission ;  but  he  was,  at  the  same 

*  From  the  missionary's  correspondence. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SVVARTZ.  209 

time,  deeply  interested  in  the  preservation  of  the  peace  of 
India,  and,  as  the  most  effectuaJ  means  of  securing  it,  was 
anxious  to  promote  the  British  power  and  ascendancy  in 
that  country.  Simple  and  spiritual  as  he  was,  he  enter- 
tained the  most  just  and  enlarged  conceptions  of  the  real 
welfare  of  nations,  and  upon  more  tlian  one  occasion 
evinced  the  extent  of  his  information  and  tlie  soundness  of 
his  judgment  on  points  of  civil  and  political  importance. 
In  one  respect  only  did  he  invariably  reject  every  approach 
to  secularity — in  steadily  refusing  to  derive  from  political 
services  any  personal  or  pecuniary  advantage. 

On  his  return  to  Madras,  "  having  been  furnished," 
says  this  disinterested  man,  "  with  all  necessaries  by  the 
honorable  board,  I  delivered  the  bag  containing  the  tiiree 
hundred  rupees  sent  by  Hyder  to  them,  who  desired  me 
to  keep  it.  Thus  urged,  I  requested  their  permission  to 
appropriate  this  sum  as  the  first  fund  for  an  English  orphan 
school  at  Tanjore,  hoping  that  some  charitable  people 
would  increase  it.  General  Munro  promised  to  recom- 
mend the  plan  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  settlement."  This 
design  was  immediately  commenced,  and  it  will  be  grat- 
ifying to  know,  was  afterwards  carried  into  extensive  and 
most  beneficial  execution. 

*'  Being  told,"  continued  Swartz,  "  that  Sir  Thomas 
Rumbold  intended  to  procure  me  a  present  from  the  board, 
I  begged  leave  to  decline  accepting  any,  declaring  that  if 
my  journey  had  been  in  any  way  beneficial  to  the  public, 
I  rejoiced  at  the  opportunity.  I  signified,  however,  that 
it  would  make  me  very  happy  if  the  board  would  allow 
my  colleague  at  Trichinopoly  tlie  same  yearly  sum  they 
had  given  to  me,  being  convinced  that  he  would  use  it  for 
the  benefit  of  the  school,  and  the  maintenance  of  some 
catechists.  This  request  was  granted.  Mr.  Pohle  re- 
ceives at  Trichinopoly  yearly  a  hundred  pounds  sterling, 
as  I  do  here  at  Tanjore  ;  by  which  means  we  are  enabled 
to  maintain  in  both  places  schoohnaslers  and  catechists." 
The  government  further  immediately  ordered  that  he 
should  be  supplied  with  bricks  and  lime  towards  the  build- 
ing of  his  church  at  Tanjore. 

Thus  ended   this   memorable   visit  of   Swartz   to   the 

capital  of  Mysore.     "Of  my  journey  back,"  he  observes, 

"  and  the   conversations   I    held   with    heathens,   Roman 

Catholics,  and  Mohammedans,  I  cannot,  on  account  of  the 

18* 


310  MEMOIRS   OF 

shortness  of  time,  say  more.  God  preserved  me  on  the 
dangerous  journey,  gave  me  abundant  opportunities  to 
announce  his  word,  and  directed  all  circumstances  so  as 
was  most  expedient  for  me.  Praised  be  his  gracious 
name !  May  the  Almighty  grant  that  every  where,  and 
even  in  the  Mysore  country,  his  gospel  may  be  preached, 
received,  and  glorified  ;  so  that  many  thousands  may  be 
converted,  and  eternally  saved,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of 
God,  and  of  his  son  Jesus  Christ!" 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  211 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Completion  of  the  church  in  the  little  Fort  at  Tanjoie — Preparation 
of  anotlier  for  the  Tarnul  congregation  in  the  garden,  presented 
by  the  rajah  to  Mr.  Swartz,  in  the  suburbs — Letters  to  friends — 
Invasion  of  the  Carnatic  by  Hyder  Ali — Letters  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Chambers — Desolation  and  distress  of  the  country  in  consequence 
of  Hyder's  attack — Benevolent  exertions  of  Swartz  to  relieve  it. 

The  new  church  atTanjore,  thus  auspiciously  commenced, 
was  carried  on  witli  so  much  vigor  tliat  early  in  tiie  year 
1780,  Swartz  expressed  his  iiope  that  he  should  perform 
divine  service  in  it  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks.  It  was 
completed  according  to  his  expectation,  and  consecrated 
in  the  month  of  April  by  the  name  of  Christ  Church.  "  It 
is  built,"  as  he  informed  the  Society  for  Promoting  Chris- 
tian Knowledge,  "  upon  the  plan  of  the  church  at  Trichi- 
nopoly,  being  ninety  feet  long  and  fifty  broad  ;  so  that 
five  hundred  people  may  conveniently  find  room  in  it. 
But,"  he  continues,  "  though  the  church  is  very  convenient 
to  the  garrison,  it  is  not  so  to  the  Malabar  congregation, 
the  greater  part  of  whom  live  in  the  suburbs.  They  used 
to  assemble  in  the  large  fort,  where  my  late  worthy  iriend. 
Major  Stevens,  had  prepared  a  very  convenient  place. 

"  But  as  the  spot  on  which  he  built  belonged  to  a  brah- 
min family,  which  he  endeavored  to  find  out,  but  in  vain, 
and  when  at  last  that  family,  upon  their  return  to  the  Fort, 
refused  to  sell  the  ground,  we  were  in  conscience  obliged 
to  let  them  possess  their  own  property.  However,  we 
soon  got  a  more  convenient  place  given  us  by  the  rajah, 
near  to  which  was  a  vaulted  house  for  the  use  of  an  Euro- 
pean family.  That  family  quitting  the  place,  I  bought  the 
house  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  pagodas,  which  were 
given  to  me  by  Mr.  John  Macpherson,  at  the  time  of  his 


212  MEMOIRS  OF 

returning  to  England,  and  by  General  Munro.  But  as 
this  house  was  by  much  too  small  for  the  congregation,  1 
lengthened  it,  so  that  it  is  now  a  convenient  church  for  that 
congregation.  It  lies  on  a  rising  ground,  not  an  English 
mile  distant  from  the  Fort.  Round  about  it  live  the  in- 
habitants. On  all  sides  of  it  is  an  empty  spot,  on  which 
may  be  built  a  school-house,  and  houses  for  the  catechists. 
I  have  inclosed  it  with  a  wall.  All  circumstances  con- 
curred to  make  this  house  of  prayer  convenient,  healthy, 
and  remote  from  noise.  Blessed  be  God,  that  we  are  so 
agreeably  placed  !  May  he  graciously  vouchsafe  his  bles- 
sing, that  many  thousands  of  the  poor  heathens  may  hear, 
embrace,  and  practise  the  truth  preached  in  the  midst  of 
their  habitations!" 

In  the  same  letter  in  which  he  thus  piously  and  unos- 
tentatiously communicates  to  the  society  the  commence- 
ment and  completion  of  both  these  good  and  important 
works,  he  informs  them  that  he  had  enjoyed  a  perfect 
state  of  health,  and  had  not  been  hindered  by  any  sick- 
ness in  the  performance  of  his  various  duties.  "  The 
catechists,"  he  added,  "and  schoolmasters  are  all  living, 
and  according  to  the  best  of  their  abilities  assist  me  in 
preaching  the  word  of  God.  To  make  known  to  Gentiles 
and  Christians  the  way  that  leadeth  unto  life  has  been  my 
aim  ;  and  that  most  important  business,  I  have  pursued 
through  the  last  year,  and,  I  hope,  not  without  success." 

Shortly  afterwards  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to 
his  young  friend,  the  son  of  Colonel  Wood,  the  wise  and 
affectionate  admonitions  of  which,  it  will  be  perceived,  are 
beautifully  adapted  to  his  growing  years. 

"  Tanjore,  Feb.  22,  1780. 
"I  have  received  your  kind  letter,  and  rejoiced  that  tiie 
son  of  my  much  esteemed  friend,  who  is  now  in  eternity, 
goes  on  learning  such  things  as  will  make  him  useful  in 
human  society.  You  learn  Latin,  geography,  arithmetic, 
French,  drawing  ;  all  which  may  be  veiy  serviceable  to 
you  and  beneficial  to  your  fellow-creatures.  I  entreat 
you,  therefore,  to  be  very  diligent,  and  to  spend  your  time 
in  the  best  manner.  I  remember  that  when  I  learnt 
vocal  music,  in  my  younger  days,  I  did  not  think  that  I 
should  use  it  much  ;  and  behold  now,  every  morning  and 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  213 

evening  when  the  JMalabar  cliildren  come  to  prayer,  I 
teach  them  to  sing  in  praise  of  their  Redeemer.  Every 
week  they  learn  one  hymn,  for  they  are  slow.  Now  I 
am  well  pleased  that  I  was  instructed  in  vocal  music  ;  all 
things  may  become  useful  to  us  and  others. 

"  13ut  then,  my  dear  friend,  our  intention,  our  duties, 
must  be  well  managed  ;  or  in  other  words,  our  hearts 
must  be  truly  mended.  As  you  have  spent  many  months 
and  years  in  learning  useful  things,  let  your  heart  now  be 
given  over  to  your  God,  otherwise  your  learning  will  not 
prove  beneficial ;  nay,  which  is  deplorable,  it  may  be 
abused  to  your  detriment. 

"  As  you  are  so  well  placed,  I  beseech  you,  by  the 
mercy  of  God,  my  dear  J.,  to  mind  now  the  best,  the  one 
thinw  needful.  Examine  your  heart,  and  whatever  you 
find  in  it  that  is  not  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God,  (and 
you  will  find  much  of  that  sort,)  acknowledge  and  bewail 
it  before  your  God  ;  entreat  him  to  wash  and  cleanse  you 
from  all  your  sins.  Rest  not  till  you  find  rest  to  your  soul. 
Having  obtained  pardon  and  peace  through  Jesus,  watch 
and  pray,  that  you  may  not  lose  what  you  have  gained,  but 
that  you  may  rather  grow  daily  in  faith,  love,  and  hope. 

"  In  your  conversation  with  young  people  be  very 
cautious.  Their  thoughts  and  speeches  are  often  too 
frothy,  aye,  and  even  dangerous.  Above  all,  try  to  gain 
strength — divine  strength,  to  overcome  that  sinful  bash- 
fulness,  whereby  many  are  ashamed  to  confess  or  practise 
what  they  otherwise  approve  of  in  their  heart.  If  you 
read  your  Bible,  and  pray  heartily  to  God,  you  will  get 
strength  every  day  to  go  on  and  prosper  in  his  way.  Our 
time  is  but  short ;  eternity,  awful  eternity,  is  at  hand. 
Let  us,  therefore,  not  tritle  away  our  time,  but  let  us  seek 
the  Lord,  and  his  grace,  his  blessing,  and  his  strength. 
As  you,  dear  J.,  are  blessed  with  a  pious  mother,  who  is 
unspeakably  desirous  of  promoting  your  welfare,  I  hope 
you  will  take  all  possible  care  to  comfort  and  rejoice  her 
heart.  Though  I  have  never  seen  your  schoolmaster,  it 
is  cause  enough  for  me  to  revere  him,  that  I  hear  that  he 
is  a  faithful  servant  of  his  Lord  and  master  Jesus  Christ. 
May  God  bless  him,  and  all  that  are  under  his  care  I 

"  P.  S. — I  communicated  your  letter  to  Mr.  John 
Kohlhoff,  who  lives  at  present  at  Trichinopoly,  and 
desired  him  to  write  you  a  few  lines  which  I  hereby 
inclose." 


214  MEMOIRS   OF 

Hitherto  the  heahh  of  Swartz  had  been  vigorous  and 
unimpaired.  In  tlie  course  of  this  year,  he  complained 
of  pain  in  the  shoiiUier  and  side,  which  indicated  some- 
thing of  the  disorder  so  prevalent  in  India,  but  which 
happily  soon  subsided.  It  is  to  this  that  he  refers  in  the 
following  letter,  addressed  to  the  lady  of  William  Duffin, 
Esq.  a  medical  gentleman  in  the  service  of  the  East  India 
Company,  wiio  had  been  resident  at  Trichinopoly,  and 
for  whom  he  ever  professed  the  highest  esteem.  They 
were  at  this  time  at  Vellore. 

*'  Dear  Madam, — Your  most  agreeable  favor  I  have 
had  near  two  months  on  my  table,  having  looked  on  it 
very  often,  and  as  ofien  desiring  to  answer  it.  My  indis- 
position hindered  me  first  a  long  while.  For  though  I 
was  not  confined,  my  right  arm  gave  me  so  much  pain, 
that  I  was  unfit  to  write,  nay,  to  hold  a  book  with  it. 
But  now  it  is  much  better,  by  the  mercy  of  God.  He  is 
the  author  and  preserver  of  our  lives.  If  he  be  pleased  to 
let  us  stand  for  soine  time,  O  may  he  grant  us  strength  to 
live  to  his  glory  and  praise  !     Our  time  is  in  his  hand. 

"  The  behavior  of  the  Europeans  in  this  country  is 
truly  lamentable.  But  let  us  live  in  such  a  manner  that 
we  may  be  witnesses  of  God's  goodness — witnesses  of  the 
sufferings  aud  resurrection  of  Jesus.  Whatever  they  now 
say  to  keep  themselves  in  countenance,  they  will  soon 
bewail  it.  To  be  ashamed  of  God,  the  author  of  their 
life  ;  to  scorn  their  Redeemer,  who  bled  and  died  for 
them  ;  who  purchased  their  pardon,  peace,  nay,  eternal 
life — how  shocking  ! 

"Your  celebration  of  the  Lord's  day  is  very  pleasing. 
John  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day.  May  you  im- 
prove every  Lord's  day  in  knowledge,  hatred  of  every  sin, 
hunger  and  thirst  after  the  righteousness  of  Jesus,  and,  in 
short,  in  every  branch  of  true  Christiatiity  ! 

"  I  intended  to  say  something,  however,  to  distinguish 
the  true  doctrine  of  God  from  the  spurious  and  fashion- 
able one,  but  I  hope  to  do  it  in  my  next. 

"  You  are  then  the  governess  of  your  school.  Who 
knoweth  how  much  good  may  proceed  from  it  ?  Let  U3 
not  despise  small  things.  God  is  pleased  to  bless  them. 
My  best  wishes  attend  you,  and  my  dear  friend  Mr.  D. 

"  Being  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 

"July  22,  1780." 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  215 

About  the  same  date  is  the  following  letter  to  the 
daughter  of  Colonel  Wood,  full  of  pious  and  affectionate 
admonition,  and  exhibiting  some  touching  traits  of  apos- 
tolic simplicity  and  fervor. 

"  With  great  joy  I  have  been  reading  again  and  again 

the  most  agreeable   letter   which  N has  written  me, 

I  praise  God  for  all  the  innumerable  blessings  which  he, 
for  the  sake  of  your  Redeemer,  has  bestowed  upon  you 
all,  particularly  for  that  inestimable  benefit  of  being 
guided,  instructed,  and  corrected,  by  a  religious  mother 
and  governess.  Be  sure  you  are,  in  this  respect,  blessed 
above  millions.  The  advantages  which  you  daily  reap 
from  that  double  blessing  are  obvious,  and  very  great. 
The  impressions  which  we  get  from  the  good  example  of 
those  whom  we  honor,  are  very  lasting  ;  and  though  we 
sometimes  swerve,  they  follow  us,  and  incline  our  hearts 
to  pursue  that  which  is   good.     My  blessed  friend.  Major 

S ,  told  me,  that  the  pious  conduct  of  his  mother  laid 

the  first  foundations  of  that  excellent  frame  of  mind  which 
was  afterwards  raised  and  strengthened  by  divine  grace. 
But  remember  always  the  rule  which  is  strictly  observed 
by  God,  namely,  '  To  whom  much  is  given,  from  them 
much  will  be  required.'  O  my  dear  young  friends,  regard 
the  admonitions,  example,  nay,  and  the  correction,  of  your 
pious  mamma;  despise  them  not;  prize  them  higher 
than  all  jewels.  Rejoice  her  heart  by  your  humble  and 
obedient  behavior,  as  I  hope  you  have  hitherto  done. 
Doubtless  you  see  and  hear  much  in  so  large  a  city, 
which  should  not  so  much  as  be  named  by  Christians. 
But  the  church  is  at  present  like  a  field  which  is  over- 
grown with  weeds,  thorns,  and  thistles.  You  are  happily 
guarded  by  your  Christian  education  against  the  perni- 
cious influence  which  the  prevailing  wickedness  might 
otherwise  have  over  you.  Shun  those  places  ;  turn  away 
your  eyes  and  hearts  from  all  which  might  vitiate  your 
mind,  or  at  least  tempt  you,  or  retard  you  in  your  way. 
Be  sure,  you  may  pray,  nay,  be  fervent  in  prayer  ;  but 
except  you  watch,  you  will  lose  all  most  miserably. 
Watchfulness  is  the  soul  of  Christianity.  Be  therefore 
careful.  Watch  ;  above  all,  watch  over  your  heart,  over 
your  conversation,  over  the  company  you  keep.  In  short, 
be  wise  virgins.     You   will   then   be   ready   to  go  out  to 


216  MEMOIRS   OF 

meet  the  Lord.  You  read,  you  pray,  you  sing  hymns  ; 
but  take  care  that  all  these  excellent  things  may  improve 
your  hearts  and  lives,  that  by  your  reading  you  may  grow 
in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus,  in  fliith,  in  a  sincere  love 
towards  him,  in  willingness  to  follow  him,  in  hating  and 
rejecting  all  things  which  hinder  you  in  your  desire  of 
winning  Christ,  and  the  happiness  of  being  found  in  him. 
I  remember  you  all  frequently  ;  my  heart  wishes  you  all 
the  riches  of  grace,  of  strength,  and  comfort,  which  are 
to  be  found  in  Jesus. 

"  When  you  come  together  to  bow  your  knees  before 
the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  forget  not  your  old 
friend  who  lives  in  this  wilderness.  Beg  of  God,  that 
grace  may  be  given  me  to  finish  my  course  with  joy,  and 
that  in  the  time  that  my  kind  Master  suffereth  me  to  work, 
I  may  glorify  him.  After  I  have  preached  in  the  Fort  to 
the  English,  I  go  out  to  the  Malabar  church,  when  I 
preach  from  ten  till  twelve.  In  the  afternoon  a  catechist 
repeats  the  sermon,  and  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening 
we  have  prayer  ;  then  I  go  to  rest  pleasingly  tired.  At 
our  prayer  I  frequently  remember  you.  Such  joy  the 
Lord  my  master  grants  me  in  the  wilderness !  ()  when 
shall  we  appear  before  his  glorious  presence!  Till  I  see 
you  there,  I  am,  your  affectionate  friend. 

"P.  S. — Remember  me  to  your  pious  governess." 

Notwithstanding  the  pacific  mission  of  Swartz  to  Se- 
ringapatam,  and  the  assurance  of  Hyder  Ali  of  his 
anxiety  to  preserve  peace  with  the  Madras  government, 
jealousy,  and  doubtless  just  dissatisfaction  as  to  some  of 
their  proceedings,  his  own  ambitious  views,  and  the  in- 
trigues of  the  French,  at  this  crisis  again  at  war  with 
England,  and  of  several  of  the  native  powers,  combined 
in  the  course  of  a  few  months  after  Swartz's  visit,  to  in- 
duce him  to  throw  off  the  mask,  and  to  commence  hos- 
tilities against  the  English.  In  the  month  of  June,  1780, 
Hyder  invaded  the  Carnatic  with  an  army  of  nearly  one 
hundred  thousand  men  ;  his  cavalry  overran  the  country 
with  the  most  frightful  rapidity,  and  spread  ruin  and 
desolation  in  every  direction.  Every  day  brought  fresh 
intelligence  of  his  conquests  and  devastation ;  but  such 
was  the  apathy  of  the  ruling  party  in  the  council  at 
Madras,  that  they  could  not  be  convinced  of  the  approach- 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  217 

ing  danger,  until  black  columns  of  smoke,  mingled  with 
flame,  were  discovered  within  a  few  miles  of  Madras.  A 
party  of  Hyder's  horse  committed  ravages  even  at  St. 
Thomas's  Rlount,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  open  town 
began  to  take  flight. 

It  is  to  these  fearful  events  that  Swartz  refers  at  the 
close  of  the  year  in  the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Chambers, 
in  which  the  confusion  and  perplexity,  not  to  say  the 
negligence  and  mismanagement  of  the  English  govern- 
ment, and  the  treachery  or  alienation  of  some  of  the 
native  princes,  are  described  with  the  strength  and  accu- 
racy of  an  intelligent,  and  the  piety  of  a  Christian,  ob- 
server. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — I  will  not  venture  to  excuse,  much 
less  justify  myself,  on  account  of  my  strange  delay  in 
answering  your  most  valuable  letters.  In  short,  I  am 
guilty.     The  account  you  have  given  me  of  the  death  of 

Mr. 's  brother,  of  your  own  situation,  of  the  spiritual 

state  of  your  dear  consort,  are  so  reviving,  that  I  have  not 
only  read  them  again  and  again,  but  keep  them  as  tes- 
timonies of  the  divine  mercy.  Truly  such  accounts 
strengthen  our  faith,  love,  and  hope,  and  are  particularly 
very  useful  to  those  who  work  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  and 
are  often  tempted  with  the  discouraging  thoughts  of  labor- 
ing in  vain. 

"Go  on,  my  dear  friend,  and  be  sure,  that  if  you  are 
instrumental  in  converting  a  soul,  you  have  gained  more 
than  if  you  got  the  treasures  of  both  Indies.  I  write  to 
a  Christian,  and  therefore  I  am  sure  I  shall  not  be  accused 
of  having  exaggerated  the  worth  and  value  of  pious 
labors. 

"  I  wish  I  could  send  you  reciprocally  a  list  of  real 
converts  ;  who,  renouncing  all  the  works,  nay,  lusts  of  the 
world,  look  out  for  grace,  peace,  joy,  true  happiness,  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     But,  alas  !  how  rare  are  these  ! 

"  It  is  true  Coromandel  has  been  visited  by  the  Lord  ; 
the  inhabitants  of  it  have  had  time,  and  places  to  be  in- 
structed;  the  book  of  God,  and  other  useful  treatises, 
have  been  freely  offered  to  them ;  nay,  they  have  been 
pressed  to  accept  of  these  spiritual  treasures ;  but  they 
have  neglected,  not  to  say  despised,  the  gracious  counsel 
19 


218  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  God,  preferring  the  friendship  and  things  of  the  world 
before  the  blessings  of  God. 

"  Now  the  Lord  God  begins  to  visit  them  in  a  different 
manner.  Their  idols,  on  which  they  leaned,  are  taken 
away ;  their  houses  burnt,  their  cattle  driven  away,  and, 
what  afflicts  many  thousand  parents  unspeakably  more,  is, 
that  Hyder  sends  their  best  children  away.  All  the  smart 
boys  of  eight,  or  nine,  or  ten  years,  he  sends  to  his 
country.  He  has  now  reigned  in  this  manner  above  five 
months,  without  n)eeting  any  opposition. 

"  Our  leaders  pursued  other  things;  the  welfare  of  the 
public  was  entirely  forgotten  ;  private  interests,  pleasures, 
luxury,  were  come  to  a  stupendous  height.  They  were 
warned  three  months  before  Hyder's  invasion  ;  but  they 
despised  the  warning,  saying,  'Hyder  might  as  well  fly  as 
come  into  the  Carnaticl'  None  could  persuade  them  to 
the  contrary,  till  they  saw  his  horse  at  their  garden  houses. 
Then  consternation  seized  them;  nothing  but  confusion 
was  visible.  Hyder  pursued  his  plan  ;  took  one  fort  after 
another,  till  he  got  possession  of  Arcot.  Now  he  desires 
that  the  Dutch  and  Danes  shall  send  their  counsellors  to 
compliment  him  as  Nabob  of  Arcot. 

"  It  seems  as  if  all  the  country  people  wished  for  a 
change.  Worriarpallam,  Marawar,  Tinnevelly  Country, 
Madura,  all  are  up  in  arms.  The  Colleries  are  encour- 
aged by  Hyder  ;  and  our  place  (you  understand  me)  is 
suspected.  These  are  terrible  judgments  of  God.  But 
are  they  not  holy  and  just  ?  Even  the  most  profligate 
people  seem  to  be  convinced  of  it.  If  they  would  repent, 
and  sue  for  mercy,  who  knows  but  a  holy  God  might  have 
mercy  on  them  ? 

"  But  what  shall  T  say  ?  I  tremble  at  the  sight  of  it. 
Even  now,  every  one  looks  out  for  some  rich  post.  Every 
thing  is  like  a  job,  not  to  mention  their  continuance  in 
their  wonted  sins. 

"  I  <lare  say  you  fully  know  the  transactions  of  Sir , 

&c.  how  they  did  every  thing  to  bring  this  calamity  on 
the  poor  country. 

"  The  nabob  says  he  has  no  money  ;  his  disciplined 
troops  he  provoked,  by  withholding  their  pay.  So  he 
trained  soldiers  (above  20,000)  for  several  years,  for 
Hyder's  service. 

"  Our  people  here  at  T seem  to  be  very  averse  to 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  219 

our  G ,  and  no  wonder ;    for  they  were  ill  treated,  and 

therefore  do  not  care  whether  we  sink  or  escape.  And 
above  all,  our  infidelity,  our  contempt  of  divine  things,  is 
beyond  description,  and  brings  upon  us  the  wrath  of  God. 

"  Now  what  is  to  be  done  ?  I  say,  with  Jeremy,  *  Be 
thou  not  terrible  unto  me,  O  God.'  This  calamity  is  from 
the  Lord  ;  and  doubtless  he  intends  to  purge  us  from  our 
sins,  and  take  away  our  dross.  Ileatliens  and  nominal 
Christians  were  asleep,  nay,  dead,  and  minding  nothing 
but  the  things  of  the  world.  By  the  soft  voice  of  God 
they  would  not  be  awakened.  Who  knows  but  they  may 
arise  on  hearing  the  thundering  voice  of  the  Lord  I 

"  This   letter  I  send    by  Captain   S ,  who    returned 

from  England.  He  brought  me  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Wood, 
which  is  full  of  complaints,  as  you  may  imagine.  Alas! 
she  will  get  no  money  from  the  nabob,  particularly  as  the 
country  is  in  Hyder's  hands,  and  quite  drained.  The 
king  of  Tanjore  promi-sed  me  to  pay  her  the  14,500  pa- 
godas ;*  but  I  am  afraid,  as  his  people  are  running  away, 
and  the  villages  very  thinly  inhabited,  he  will  refuse  to 
fulfil  his  engagement. 

"  God    bless    you,    my  dearest    friend,  and    your    dear 

consort.     Tell   Mr.  G and  his  lady,  that  I  remember 

them  very  often.  O  may  you  all  be  a  holy  seed  in  Bengal ! 
Remember  me  to  your  steward,  my  beloved  Mr.  Obeck, 
and  assure  him  of  my  constant  love  and  good  wishes. 
May  you  all  grow  daily  in  faith,  love,  and  hope,  through 
the  Holy  Spirit  ! 

"  If  Mr. and  his  colleagues,  whose  transactions,  I 

am  afraid,  are  not  guided  by  the  spirit  of  humility,  come 
in  your  way,  present  my  best  wishes  to  them  ;  and  I 
might  well  add,  explain  to  them  '  the  way  of  the  Lord.' 

"  I  am  constantly,  your  affectionate  friend  and  servant. 

"  Tanjore,  December  19,  1730." 

"  You  inquire  about  our  church.  You  must  know,  that 
we  have  two.  The  large  one  in  the  little  fort  is  built 
according  to  the   model  of  the  Trichinopoly  church,  was 

*  The  difficulty  respectinir  the  repayment  of  this  sum.  originally 
lent  to  tiie  rajah  of  Tanjore,  arose  partly  from  the  confusion  into 
whicli  his  affairs  were  thrown  by  his  deposition,  and  the  intermedi- 
ate government  of  the  nabob,  and  partly  by  the  invasion  of  Hyder 
Ali. 


220  MEMOIRS   OF 

finished,  has  been  used  from  the  16th  of  April,  and — what 
shall  I  say  ? — is  now  required  to  be  a  magazine  for  paddy  : 
for  nothing  has  been  built  here,  no  not  a  magazine  to 
keep  the  powder  in.  The  second  church  is  half  an  Eng- 
lish mile  distant  from  the  Fort,  towards  the  east,  for  the 
use  of  the  Malabar  people.  I  preach  from  eight  to  ten  to 
the  English,  from  ten  to  twelve  to  the  Malabar,  and  from 
four  to  five,  in  the  afternoon,  to  the  Portuguese  ;  and  then 
I  say,  I  have  served.  Blessed  Jesus,  give  thou  the  in- 
crease !     Amen. 

"  P.  S. — You  have  sent  me  a  bill  for  three  hundred  and 
fifty-nine  pagodas.  I  wait  for  an  explanation  ;  for  you  do 
not  owe  me  so  much." 

On  the  same  day  on  which  the  preceding  letter  was 
written,  Swartz  addressed  the  following  to  Mrs.  Chambers. 
It  afibrds  a  beautiful  specimen  of  Christian  affection  and 
urbanity,  and  presents  a  brief,  but  impressive,  view  of 
the  great  principles  of  vital  and  practical  religion,  which 
formed  the  basis  of  his  own  character,  and  the  source 
of  his  consolation  and  joy. 

"  Tanjore,  December  19, 1780. 

"Madam, — Had  I  no  other  reason  for  addressing  you 
than  your  being  connected  with  my  dearest  friend  in  India, 
I  think  I  should  stand  absolved  from  all  imputation  of 
being   impertinent.     But  you   have  sent  me  joyful  news 

concerning  Mr.  's  life   and   death,  and  copied    them 

with  your  own  hands ;  by  this,  you  have  made  my  address- 
ing you  an  act  of  gratitude. 

"I  rejoice  over  your  mutual  happiness.  You,  madam, 
are  united  to  a  Christian.  This  will,  this  must  ennoble 
your  state  of  matrimony.  This  must  endear  your  con- 
nection, even  in  respect  of  eternity.  How  happy  should  I 
be,  if  I  could  see  you  both,  converse  with  you,  and  finish 
our  conversation  with  prayer  and  thanksgiving.  But 
though  I  cannot  enjoy  this  delight  at  present,  I  may 
anticipate  something  of  it  by  sending  you  a  line  now 
and  then. 

"You  know,  madam,  that  the  goodness  of  a  building 
depends  much  upon  the  foundation  ;  if  that  be  deep  and 
firm,  the  whole  building  will  be  strong. 

"  Just  so  it  is  in  Cliristianity,  which  is  compared,  by 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  221 

an  excellent  master-builder,  (St.  Paul,)  to  a  building. 
Let  us  then  take  care  to  lay  the  foundation  as  deep  as 
possible. 

"The  only  foundation  of  all  our  holiness  and  happiness, 
in  time  and  eternity,  is  Jesus  Christ :  his  atonement,  his 
righteousness,  and  sacrifice.  ]f  we  are  united  to  him, 
so  as  to  share  in  his  all-sufficient  righteousness,  we  shall 
have  and  enjoy  every  blessing  :  wisdom,  righteousness, 
sanctification,  and  redemption  :  we  shall  glory  in  him. 

"Now,  that  we  may  know,  value,  desire,  and  choose 
Him,  we  must  know  ourselves,  and  our  sad  condition  by 
nature.  In  proportion  as  we  know  ourselves,  we  shall 
desire  and  hunger  after  Jesus,  more  or  less.  And  still 
how  backward  are  we  to  know  our  hearts,  our  poverty, 
and  misery  !  Let  us,  therefore,  entreat  God  to  grant  us 
his  Spirit,  that  by  the  light  of  that  Searcher  of  hearts, 
we  may  see  our  true  condition.  This  will  make  us  hum- 
ble, and  show  our  poverty  :  but  blessed  are  the  poor  in 
spirit,  who  have  been  so  far  enlightened  as  to  see  their 
poverty,  in  respect  of  knowledge,  holiness,  strength,  hap-, 
piness  ;  for  in  all  these  particulars  we  are  poor. 

"  This  poverty  the  world  endeavors  to  remove  by  riches, 
honor,  fame,  pleasures,  and  what  not.  But  gold  and  silver 
cannot  pay  off  our  dreadful  debt  which  w'e  have  con- 
tracted ;  it  may,  by  ill  use,  even  increase  it. 

"  Others  endeavor  to  become  free  from  sin  and  sorrow 
by  living  a  strict  and  virtuous  life  :  they  are  servants,  who 
owe  their  master  ten  thousand  talents,  but  they  fancy  to 
pay  off  that  debt  by  a  farthing  or  two ;  and  by  such 
farthings,  as,  if  well  inspected,  will  be  found  bad  coin. 
But  the  strict  and  holy  law  of  God  says,  'Pay  that  which 
thou  owest;'  pay  all,  perfectly.  'Cursed  be  everyone 
that  doeth  not  according  to  all  that  is  written  in  the  law.' 
And  who  of  us  is  able  to  satisfy  these  just  demands  ? 

"  But  the  righteousness  which  is  by  faith,  doih  not  say, 
pay  thou  all  ;  but  rather  entreats  us  to  accept  of  that  full 
payment,  which  has  been  made  by  Jesus  Christ.  This 
righteousness  of  faith,  (to  represent  it  as  a  speaking 
person,)  says,  in  a  warning  manner,  to  every  mourning 
sinner,  '  Say  not  in  thy  heart.  Who  shall  ascend  into 
heaven,  that  is,  to  bring  down  Christ  from  above?'  Be 
upon  thy  guard  ;  do  not  thou,  O  mourning  sinner,  speak 
in  60  unbelieving  a  manner ;  for  by  such  a  speech  thou 
19* 


222  MEMOIRS  OF 

deniest  Christ,  as  if  he  had  not  come  from  heaven  to 
redeem  thee. 

"  Neither  say,  '  Wlio  shall  descend  into  the  deep,'  to 
atone  for  my  sins  ?  Would  not  such  a  speech  he  a  denial 
of  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  as  if  he  had  not  yet  descended 
into  the  deep,  death,  and  the  grave, — or  as  if  he  was  still 
in  the  grave,  and  not  yet  risen  from  the  dead  ? 

"  But  the  rigiiteousness  which  is  by  faith,  not  only 
warneth  us,  but  gives,  at  the  same  time,  the  most  salutary 
counsel ;  viz. 

"  The  word  which  thou,  O  mourning  sinner,  needest 
for  thy  comfort,  is  nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  mouth,  (so  that 
thou  art  able  to  speak  of  it,)  and  in  thy  heart,  (so  as  to 
perceive  and  feel  its  strength.)  Why,  then,  wouldest  thou 
refuse  to  accept  of  it  l 

"  That  is  the  word  of  faith,  which  the  apostles  preached 
and  sealed  by  divine  works  and  miracles  ;  so  that  there 
remaineth  no  reasonable  doubt  of  its  being  divine  ;  'that 
if  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth,  that  Jesus,'  who  was 
crucified  in  order  to  redeem  us,  '  is  Lord,'  our  redeeming 
Lord  and  King,  '  and  shalt  believe  in  thy  heart  that  God 
has  raised  him  from  the  dead,'  in  testimony  that  he  has 
fulfilled  all  : 

"  If  thou,  who  art  hungry  and  thirsty  after  righteous- 
ness, pardon,  and  peace,  takest  thy  refuge  in  Jesus,  who 
has  made  a  full  atonement  for  thy  sins;  and  to  whom  God 
has  given  his  judicial  approbation,  by  raising  him  from 
the  dead  :  thou  art  happy,  blessed,  pardoned,  and  a  be- 
loved child  of  God. 

"  This  is  the  only  way  in  which  we,  who  are  poor, 
depraved,  and  deep  in  debt,  may  find  comfort,  strength, — 
nay,  eternal  life. 

"  So  Paul  thought — so  all  prophets  preach — so  all  true 
Christians  have  believed  ;  and  so  I  hope  you,  madam, 
and  my  friend,  your  husband,  look  out  for  all  blessings, 
in  and  through  Christ.  Here  is  firm  footing.  This  union 
and  communion  with  Him  will  make  your  life  happy, 
and  your  conduct  holy.  This  will  fill  you  with  grateful 
sentiments,  and  make  you  very  kind  to  your  fellow- 
creatures. 

"  Believing  in  Christ,  and  having  found  pardon,  peace, 
and  hope  of  everlasting  happiness,  by  faith,  you  will  not 
regret  the  loss  of  worldly  friends.     Paul  could  count  all 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  223 

(all  riches,  honors,  pleasures  of  the  world)  loss  and  dung, 
that  he  might  win  Christ,  and  be  found  in  him.  Try  to 
follow  him.  Having  obtained  the  best,  I  hope  you  will 
be  less  anxious  about  smaller  matters. 

"  You  see,  madam,  by  my  prolixity,  that  I  almost 
fancied  myself  to  be  in  your  company, 

"  That  you  and  your  dear  husband  may  always,  in 
health  and  in  sickness,  in  riches  and  poverty,  in  time  and 
eternity,  be  found  in  Jesus  Christ,  is  the  hearty  prayer  of, 
madam,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant." 

The  three  succeeding  years  were  distinguished  through- 
out the  Carnatic  and  the  south  of  India,  by  the  compli- 
cated horrors  of  war,  desolation,  and  famine.  The  sluices 
which  irrigate  the  country,  being  destroyed  by  Uyder's 
troops,  and  the  inhabitants  having  no  security  for  their 
crops,  did  not  sow  their  fields,  and  consequently  could 
reap  no  harvest.  I'hey  forsook  the  country,  and  fled  in 
crowds  to  the  towns,  where  tlie  scarcity  rose  to  a  fearful 
height.  During  this  long  and  trying  period  of  visitation 
and  calamity,  the  prudence  and  foresight,  and  the  pious 
and  active  benevolence  of  Mr.  Swartz,  were  eminently 
conspicuous,  both  in  providing  for  the  support  of  those 
immediately  dependent  upon  the  mission,  and  in  allevia- 
ting the  distress  and  misery  of  multitudes  of  the  perishing 
natives  around  him. 

Thus  he  writes  in  September,  1783,  to  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge: 

"  The  last  three  years  have  been  years  of  sorrow  and 
anxiety  :  notwithstanding  which,  we  have  no  reason  at  all 
to  murmur,  or  to  find  fault  witii  God's  ways,  which  are 
ever  just  and  equal  ;  and  the  judgments  which  have  be- 
fallen us,  may,  perhaps,  be  more  conducive  to  the  true 
welfare  of  the  country  than  we  conceive.  This  year 
God's  fatherly  goodness  has  preserved  and  strengthened 
us  for  his  service.  All  the  four  catechists  are  alive,  as  is 
likewise  the  Tamulian  schoolmaster.  Besides  these  five, 
I  have  taken  two  more  upon  trial,  who  have  been  edu- 
cated in  the  mission  school  at  Tranquebar  :  both  seem  to 
be  truly  religious.  Our  congregation  has  received  an 
increase  of  upwards  of  a  hundred  :  most  of  them,  it  is 
apprehended,  have  been  compelled,  by  the  famine,  to 
come  to  us :  nevertheless  I  have  given  them  the  neces- 


224  MEMOIRS  OF 

gary  ii)struclion,  and  this  during  the  space  of  several 
months  ;  during  which  I  have  also  procured  them  some 
provisions.  The  teaching  them  was  attended  with  much 
difficuhy  and  fatigue,  on  account  of  the  great  decrease  of 
their  mental  powers.  Yet  I  could  not  persuade  myself 
that  it  would  be  consistent  with  the  will  of  God  to  put 
these  poor  people  off;  many  of  whom  afterwards  died. 
As  the  famine  was  so  great,  and  of  so  long  continuance, 
those  have  been  affected  by  it  who  seemed  to  be  beyond 
its  reach.  A  vigorous  and  strong  man  is  scarcely  to  be 
met  with  :  in  outward  appearance,  men  are  like  wander- 
ing skeletons. 

"  When  I  returned  from  Seringapatam,  I  saw  reason 
to  apprehend  an  approaching  war  :  this  induced  me  to 
buy  rice  whilst  it  was  at  a  low  price,  which  proved  of 
great  benefit  to  our  catechists.  Besides  this,  God  moved 
the  hearts  of  some  Europeans  to  send  me  a  portion 
monthly  to  distribute  among  the  people  lying  on  the  road, 
by  which  means  numbers  of  them  have  been  saved  from 
perishing.  This  benefaction  is  continued  to  this  day,  so 
that  about  a  hundred  and  twenty  persons  are  constantly 
fed. 

"  When  it  is  considered  that  Hyder  All  has  carried  off 
so  many  thousands  of  people,  and  that  many  thousands 
have  died  of  want,  it  is  not  at  all  surprising  to  find  not 
only  empty  houses,  but  desolated  villages— a  mournful 
spectacle  indeed  ! " 

In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  friends,  Swartz  more  minutely 
describes  the  distress  which  prevailed  at  this  calamitous 
period,  in  and  around  Tanjore,  and  the  seasonable  relief 
which  his  foresight,  good  sense,  and  influence  with  the 
natives  enabled  him  to  afford. 

"  We  have  suffered  exceedingly  in  this  fortress  from 
hunger  and  misery.  When  passing  through  the  streets 
early  in  the  morning,  the  dead  were  lying  in  heaps  on  the 
dunghills." 

He  then  mentions  his  purchase  already  alluded  to,  of 
twelve  thousand  bushels  of  rice,  by  which  he  was  enabled, 
not  only  to  support  his  catechists  and  schoolmasters,  but 
to  assist  many  others.  "  Unfortunately,"  he  continues, 
"  there  was  no  magazine  in  the  fort  for  the  native  soldiers 
or  sepoys.     The  king   and  the  Company  requested  me 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  225 

twice  to  procure  provisions  for  the  garrison,  since  they 
were  unable  to  obtain  oxen  for  the  carriages,  for  want  of 
a  good  understanding  with  the  natives.  In  this  dilemma 
I  wrote  to  the  inhabitants,  desiring  them  to  bring  their 
cattle,  and  promising  them  payment  on  my  own  respon- 
sibility. This  had  the  desired  effect ;  the  oxen  were 
brought,  and  the  garrison  supplied,  at  the  very  moment 
when  a  fresh  attack  from  the  enemy  was  expected.  I 
afterwards  settled  with  the  natives,  and  they  went  home 
quite  satisfied.  The  Lord  also  enabled  me  to  consider 
the  poor  ;  so  that  I  had  it  in  ray  power  to  feed  a  consider- 
able number  for  the  space  of  seventeen  months.  Often 
eight  hundred  poor  people  assembled.  Several  Euro- 
peans sent  sums  of  money  for  this  charitable  purpose;  but 
instead  of  giving  them  the  money,  I  prepared  food  and 
distributed  it,  many  of  them  having  no  utensils'  for  cook- 
ing. Such  distress  I  never  before  witnessed,  and  God 
grant  I  never  may  again," 

Writing  a  kw  months  afterwards  from  Trichinopoly, 
he  says,  "  Our  Fort  contained  the  best  part  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  country,  who  flocked  hither  to  escape  the 
unrelenting  cruelty  of  the  enemy.  Daily  we  conversed 
with  these  people,  and  tried  to  convince  them  of  the 
vanity  of  their  idols,  and  to  induce  them  to  turn  to  the 
living  God.  They  readily  own  the  superior  excellence  of 
the  Christian  doctrine,  but  remain  in  their  deplorable 
errors  for  various  frivolous  reasons. 

"  It  were  to  be  wished,"  he  piously  adds,  "  that  the 
country  people,  having  suffered  nearly  four  years  all  man- 
ner of  calamitv,  would  consider  the  things  which  belong 
to  their  eternal  welfare,  for  which  my  assistants  pray  and 
labor  in  conjunction  with  me.  But  though  the  fruit  of  our 
labor  has  not  hitherto  answered  our  wishes,  still  I  am 
happy  in  being  made  an  instrument  of  Providence  to 
instruct  some,  and  to  warn  others.  Who  knows  but 
there  may  come  a  time  when  others  may  reap  what  we 
are  sowing  !  " 

While  Swartz  was  thus  naturally  and  justly  anxious  to 
avail  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  addressing  "^a  word  in 
season"  to  the  famishing  natives  around  him,  his  general 
caution,  as  well  as  his  Christian  wisdom  and  kindness,  are 
well  expressed  by  Mr.  Pohle  in  a  letter  to  the  Society, 


226  MEMOIRS  OF 

after  spending  a  few  days  with  him  during  this  period  at 
Tanjore. 

"  He  is  very  careful,"  he  observes,  "  with  regard  to 
receiving  both  heathen  and  Roman  Catholics  into  the 
church.  He  has  nothing  to  do  with  people  that  want 
only  to  be  fed,  or  tliat  are  unknown  vagabonds.  But  such 
as  are  known,  and  wish  to  be  Christians,  and  after  being 
received,  to  eat  the  labor  of  their  own  hands,  them  it 
would  be  unjust  to  reject,  though  they  should  want  a  little 
assistance  during  the  time  of  their  preparation.  They 
must  live  from  hand  to  mouth  ;  and  it  would  be  cruel  not 
to  assist  iheni  under  pretence  of  a  supposed  hypocrisy,  or 
lest  it  should  be  looked  upon  as  buying  Christians  for 
money." 

The  Madras  government  was  but  ill  prepared  for  the 
formidable  attack  of  the  Mysorean  chief  Their  treasury 
was  exhausted,  their  councils  divided,  and  their  native 
allies  but  little  to  be  trusted.  Several  of  the  forts  held  by 
the  troops  of  the  nabob  were  surren<lered,  after  a  slight 
resistance,  to  the  enemy.  A  detachment  of  English  troops, 
under  Colonel  Bailiie,  in  attempting  to  join  the  comman- 
der-in-chief, Sir  Hector  Monro,  was  cut  off;  the  greater 
part  of  the  corps  perislied  on  the  field  ;  and  the  remainder, 
including  two  hundred  Europeans,  were  taken  prisoners 
and  consigned  to  the  dungeons  of  Seringapatam.  Hyder, 
elated  by  his  successes,  and  encouraged  by  the  French 
officers  who  directed  the  movements  of  his  army,  indulged 
the  hope  of  conquering  the  Carnatic,  and  of  expelling  the 
English  from  that  portion  of  the  Peninsula.  At  this 
important  crisis,  Mr.  Hastings,  the  governor-general  of 
Bengal,  interposed  to  rescue  the  British  army  and  the 
possessions  of  the  Company  from  the  dangers  which  sur- 
rounded them.  He  suspended  the  governor  of  Fort  St. 
George,  and  despatched  Sir  Eyre  Coote,  who  had  long 
before  distinguished  himself  as  an  officer  of  the  highest 
military  reputation,  with  a  reinforcement  of  troops,  to 
assume  the  cliief  command  at  Madras.  He  immediately 
took  the  field,  and  notwithstanding  the  difficulties  with 
which  ho  had  to  contend  in  a  country  converted  almost 
into  a  desert,  by  the  destructive  warfare  of  Hyder,  raised 
the  siege  of  several  places  which  he  had  invested,  and  de- 
feated him  in  four  pitched  battles.     In  the  mean  time, 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  22? 

Mr.  Hastings  prevailed  upon  the  Mahrattas  to  withdraw 
from  their  alliance  with  Hyder ;  and  though  he  had  re- 
ceived a  strong  reinforcement  of  French  troops,  and  his 
son  Tippoo,  who  took  an  active  share  in  the  war,  had 
succeeded  in  cutting  off  a  considerable  body  of  troops 
under  Colonel  Brathwaite,  on  the  banks  of  the  Coleroon, 
the  British  army,  both  on  the  coast  of  Coromandel  and  on 
the  side  of  Malabar,  made  such  vigorous  efforts  that  Hyder 
was  unable  to  face  it  in  the  open  field,  and  the  contest 
with  this  formidable  enemy  assumed  a  far  more  favorable 
aspect. 

The  Christian  character  of  Swartz  attracted  during 
this  perilous  crisis  universal  confidence  and  esteem  ;  and 
so  powerfully  had  his  conduct  impressed  Hyder  Ali  himself 
in  his  favor,  that  amidst  his  cruel  and  desolating  career, 
he  gave  orders  to  his  officers,  "  to  permit  the  venerable 
padre  Swartz  to  pass  unmolested,  and  to  show  him  respect 
and  kindness  ;  for  he  is  a  holy  man,  and  means  no  harm 
to  my  government." 

He  was  generally  allowed  to  pass  through  the  midst  of  the 
enemy's  encampments  without  the  slightest  hinderance; 
and  such  was  their  delicacy  of  feeling  towards  him,  that 
when  it  was  thought  necessary  to  detain  his  palanquin, 
the  sentinel  was  directed  to  assign  as  a  reason,  that  he 
was  waiting  for  orders  to  let  him  proceed.  Thus,  when 
the  whole  country  was  overrun  by  Hyder's  troops,  the 
general  reverence  for  the  character  of  the  good  father, 
(as  he  was  emphatically  called,)  enabled  him  to  pursue 
his  peaceful  labors  even  in  the  midst  of  war. 

An  interesting  anecdote  connected  with  this  distressing 
season,  is  related  by  Christian  David,*  whose  father  was 
a  convert  of  Swartz,  and  who  had  himself  waited  when  a 
boy  on  the  apostolic  missionary.  They  had  been  travel- 
ling all  day,  and  arriving  at  a  small  village  at  sunset,  the 
good  man  sat  down  under  a  tree  and  conversed  with  the 
natives,  who  came  round  him,  while  his  horse-keeper  was 
cooking  their  evening  meal.  When  the  rice  and  curry 
were  spread  on  the  plantain  leaf,  Swartz  stood  up  to  ask  a 
blessing  on  the  food  they  were  going  to  share,  and  to 
thank  God  for  watching  over  them  through  the  dangers  of 
the  day,  and  providing  so  richly  for  their  repose  and  com- 

*  Ordained  by  Bishop  Heber  at  Calcutta. 


228  MEMOIRS  OF 

fort.  His  heart  was  full  of  gratitude,  and  expressed  itself 
in  the  natural  eloquence  of  prayer  and  praise.  The  poor 
boy  for  some  lime  repressed  his  impatience,  but  his  hunger 
at  last  overpowered  his  respect  for  his  master,  and  he 
ventured  to  expostulate,  and  to  remind  him  that  the  curry 
would  be  cold.  He  describes  very  touchingly  the  earnest- 
ness and  solemnity  of  the  reproof  he  received.  "  What  !" 
said  he,  "  shall  our  gracious  God  watch  over  us  through 
the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day,  and  shall  we  devour  the 
food  which  he  provides  for  us  at  night  with  hands  which 
we  have  never  raised  in  prayer,  and  lips  which  have  never 
praised  him  !  "* 

During  the  whole  of  the  afflicting  period  described  in 
the  preceding  extracts,  the  missionaries  at  Tanjore  and 
Trichinopoly  were  permitted  to  enjoy  comparative  security 
and  comfort.  Thus  Mr.  Swartz  devoutly  acknowledges 
this  merciful  exemption. 

"  We  adore  the  divine  goodness,  which  has  preserved 
my  fellow-laborers  and  me,  in  the  midst  of  calamities. 
While  the  sword,  famine,  and  epidemic  sickness  swept 
away  many  thousands,  we  have  enjoyed  health,  and  have 
been  accommodated  with  all  necessaries.  May  we  never 
forget  the  various  mercies  which  God  has  bestowed  upon 
us!" 

*  Archdeacon  Robinson's  "  Last  Days  of  Bishop  Heber,"  p.  14. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  229 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Death  of  Hyder  Ali — Continuation  of  the  war  by  Tippoo  Sultan — 
Return  to  Madras,  and  death,  of  Sir  Eyre  Coote — Successes  of 
Colonel  FuUarton  in  Southern  India — Negotiation  for  peace — 
Lord  Macartney  requests  Mr.  Swartz  to  join  the  Commissioners 
at  Seringapatam — He  consents,  and  sets  out  on  the  journey — Let- 
ters to  Mr.  Sullivan — Meets  Colonel  Fullarton  and  his  army — He 
is  stopped  by  Tippoo's  officers,  at  Sattimungalum — Returns  to 
Tanjore — Declines  attempting  a  second  journey — Peace  con- 
cluded with  Tippoo — Letters  to  several  friends  on  the  preceding 
events — Journey  with  Mr.  Sullivan  to  Ramanad — Plan  of  the 
provincial  schools — Journej',  on  account  of  his  health,  to  the  coast 
— Letters  to  Mr.  Sullivan,  and  Mr.  Duffin — Swartz  as  a  Preacher. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1782,  Hyder  Ali,  the  most  pow- 
erful and  able  opponent  of  the  British  dominion  in  India, 
who  had  hitherto  appeared,  died  at  an  advanced  age  at 
Chittore.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  empire,  to  which  his 
civil  and  military  talents  had  raised  him,  by  his  son  Tip- 
poo ;  who,  though  not  equal  to  his  father  in  general  ability, 
was  not  deficient  either  in  bravery  or  military  skill,  and 
inherited  both  his  ambition  and  his  implacable  enmity  to 
the  English  authority.  The  war  continued,  therefore,  to 
be  prosecuted  with  vigor,  and,  on  the  part  of  the  Moham- 
medan Sultan,  for  such  was  the  title  which  he  assumed 
on  the  death  of  Hyder,  with  unrelenting  severity. 

The  dissensions  which  at  this  time  unhappily  prevailed 
between  the  civil  and  military  authorities  at  Madras,  pre- 
vented them  from  availing  themselves  of  the  advantage 
which  so  important  an  event  had  thrown  into  their  hands. 
Sir  Eyre  Coote  was,  in  consequence,  again  sent  to  take 
the  command  in  the  Carnatic  ;  but  that  gallant  veteran, 
worn  out  with  former  toils,  sunk  under  the  return  of  com- 
20 


230  MEMOIRS  OF 

plaints  from  which  he  had  previously  suffered,  and  expired 
early  in  1783,  two  days  after  his  arrival  at  Madras,  and  a 
few  months  only  after  the  decease  of  Hyder  Ali,  whose 
career  he  had  so  successfully  checked. 

Tippoo,  considering  the  western  coast  of  India  as 
having  become  the  principal  seat  of  the  war,  withdrew  his 
troops  from  the  Carnatic.  The  English,  in  consequence, 
attacked  Cuddalore,  which  was  theji  in  the  possession  of 
the  French  ;  but  before  they  could  reduce  it,  news  having 
arrived  of  peace  in  Europe  between  the  two  nations,  the 
French  commander  suspended  offensive  operations,  and 
withdrew  his  countrymen  from  the  service  of  Tippoo.  In 
the  mean  time,  the  English  became  decidedly  superior  on 
the  western  coast,  and  in  the  south  the  brilliant  campaign 
of  Col.  FuUarton  was  rapidly  restoring  the  British  ascen- 
dancy. Caroor  and  Dindegal,  and  afterwards  Palgaut  and 
Coimbetore  were  reduced,  and  he  was  even  preparing  to 
ascend  the  Ghauts,  and  anticipating  the  conquest  of 
Mysore,  when  he*was  suddenly  arrested  in  his  triumphant 
progress,  and  directed  to  restore  all  his  recent  conquests. 
Tippoo  had  applied  for  two  English  commissioners  to 
proceed  to  his  camp,  and  enter  into  negotiations  for  a 
treaty  of  peace  ;  and  the  Madras  government,  alarmed  at 
the  failure  of  their  resources  for  the  continuance  of  the 
war,  with  doubtful  policy,  complied  with  his  request. 

From  his  well  known  integrity  and  ability,  and  from  his 
superior  acquaintance  with  the  native  languages,  of  which 
the  commissioners  were  ignorant,  Swartz  was  requested 
by  the  governor  of  Madras  to  join  them,  as  their  interpre- 
ter, with  the  sultan  of  Mysore. 

The  following  is  Lord  Macartney's  letter  to  him  upon 
this  subject. 

"  Sir, — My  knowledge  of  your  excellent  character,  and 
of  the  cheerfulness  with  which,  on  several  occasions,  you 
have  lent  your  assistance  to  the  public  service,  encourage 
me  to  request  it,  on  behalf  of  the  Company,  in  one  of 
very  great  importance,  which  now  presents  itself 

"  You  doubtless  know  lliat  commissioners  from  this 
government  are  now  on  the  road  to  Tippoo  Sultan,  to 
complete  the  pncificntion  settled  by  the  treaty  in  Europe. 
The  commission  now  consists  of  Anthony  Sadlier,  George 
Leonard  Staunton,  and  John    Hudleston,  Esqs. ;  and  the 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  5X31 

request  I  have  to  make  to  yon,  is,  that  you  will  join  them 
on  the  road,  and  act  as  their  interpreter,  with  Tippoo 
Sultan.  By  complying  with  this  request,  you  will  render 
essential  service  to  the  public,  and  confer  an  obligation  on 
the  Company,  as  well  as  on  him,  who  is,  with  much 
esteem,  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  Macartney. 

"  Fort  St.  George,  Dec.  3,  1783." 

The  reply  to  a  request  expressed  in  terms  so  honorable 
to  the  excellent  missionary,  was  communicated  through 
Mr.  Sullivan,*  then  the  Resident  at  Tanjore.  With  this 
able  and  estimable  servant  of  the  Company,  whose  energy 
and  address  had  revived  public  confidence  after  the  defeat 
of  Colonel  Brathwaite,  and  who  was  charged  with  a 
general  superintendence  over  the  southern  provinces, 
Mr.  Swartz  was  in  habits  of  friendly  and  confidential  in- 
tercourse. 

With  the  same  readiness  to  do  good,  and  to  promote  the 
restoration  of  peace,  and  with  the  same  disinterested  dis- 
regard of  all  personal  considerations,  which  had  actuated 
him  upon  a  former  occasion,  Mr.  Swartz  informed  Lord 
Macartney,  through  Mr.  Sullivan,  that  "  his  repugnance 
to  a  political  mission,  though  great,  had  yielded  to  his 
desire  of  rendering  the  Company  any  service  within  his 
power."  Yet  so  anxious  was  he  to  guard  against  whatever 
might  be  in  the  slightest  degree  inconsistent  with  his 
sacred  character,  that  before  any  definitive  arrangement 
was  made,  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to  that  gentleman; 
which  is  strikingly  characteristic  of  the  pure  and  elevated 
principles  by  which  he  was  invariably  governed. 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  forgot  to  mention  to  you,  though  I 
talked  of  it  before  Mr.  Hippisley,t  viz.  that  as  Colonel 
Fullarton  has  required  stores,  powder,  &.c.  it  has,  as  I 
think,  too  much  the  appearance  of  hostilities.  You 
know  that  I  am  willing  to  do  what  little  service  1  can  for 
the  benefit  of  this  poor  country;  but  should  not  wish  to 
have  even  the  remotest  appearance  of  deceit.  If  you 
supply  Colonel  Fullarton  with  the  stores  for  which  he  has 

*  The  present  Right  Honorable  John  Sullivan. 
t  The  late  Sir  John  Coxa  Hippisley,  Bart.,  then  Paymaster  at 
Tanjore. 


232  MEMOIRS  OF 

sent  Captain  Maitland,  I  cannot  conceal  my  doubts  and 

apprehensions;  particularly  as  I  heard  of  General  M 's 

march.  Let  me,  I  beseech  you,  know  what  you  intend  to 
do,  before  I  give  my  final  answer  in  writing  to  Lord  Ma- 
cartney. You,  I  am  sure,  would  not  wish  that  I  should 
appear  an  impostor,  or  as  a  tool  to  forward  any  thing  but 
what  is  perfectly  agreeable  to  my  office. 
"  Dec.  6,  1783." 

The  difficulty,  so  conscientiously  and  simply  stated, 
having  doubtless  been  satisfactorily  obviated,  JNlr.  Swartz 
left  Tanjore  for  Coimbetoor,  by  way  of  Dindegal  and 
Darapuram,  intending  to  proceed  from  thence  by  the 
shortest  route,  through  the  Gudgeratty  pass,  to  join  the 
commissioners  at  Seringapatam. 

The  following  extracts,  from  a  series  of  letters  to  Mr. 
Sullivan,  during  his  journey,  will,  it  is  presumed,  be 
deemed  interesting,  both  as  throwing  light  on  the  state  of 
the  country,  and  the  war  in  that  part  of  India,  at  this 
critical  period,  and  as  illustrative  of  the  character  of 
Swartz,  both  as  a  Christian  and  a  man. 

"  Dindegal,  December  20,  1783. 
"  This  evening  I  arrived  here  in  perfect  health.  I 
praise  God  for  his  protection.  All  along  I  have  been 
delighted  with  the  mountains,  and  have  frequently  applied 
the  words  of  the  psalmist,  who,  speaking  of  the  heavens, 
says,  that  they  'declare  the  glory  of  God.'  May  we  not, 
nay,  ought  we  not  to  say,  that  the  mountains  declare  the 
same?  God  is  great,  and  appears  wise,  good,  and  om- 
nipotent in  all  his  works." 

On  the  24th,  he  left  Dindegal,  accompanied  by  a 
Jematdar's  party  of  horse,  and  some  sepoys,  to  protect 
him  from  the  colleries,  (marauders,)  who  were  sometimes 
troublesome ;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  26th,  he  reached 
Darapuram,  where  he  heard  a  false  report  of  two  hundred 
of  the  enemy's  horse  hovering  about,  and  informed  Mr. 
Sullivan  that  Roschen  Chan,  Tippoo's  commander  in 
Coimbetoor,  waited  to  know  the  number  of  his  followers 
before  he  sent  his  passport.  "  The  district  of  Darapuram," 
he  says,  "is  delightful  and  fertile,  with  a  great  deal  of 
small  grain  on  the  ground.     The  inhabitants  have  left  the 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  233 

place :  but  Lieutenant  Tolfrey,  who  came  with  me,  is 
ordered  to  collect  grain.  I  translated  the  orders  which 
promise  protection,  and  all  possible  encouragement  to  the 
inhabitants,  into  the  Malabar  language,  and  went  out 
yesterday,  and  assured  the  few  people  to  be  met  with,  of 
the  best  treatment.  They  seemed  to  be  pleased.  Some 
were  soon  seen,  and  others  expected.  The  Fort  is  de- 
stroyed, and  the  houses  quite  pulled  down.  It  is  amazing 
how  so  many  houses  were  so  totally  destroyed  in  so  short 
a  time." 

In  his  next  letter,  Svvartz  pointedly  expresses  his  aston- 
ishment at  the  unexpected,  and,  as  he  evidently  thought, 
the  impolitic  orders  sent  by  the  Madras  commissioners  to 
Colonel  Fullarton,  to  restore  the  places  which  he  had 
lately  reduced,  which  checked  him  in  the  midst  of  his 
successful  career. 

"  Camp,  in  sigiit  of  Coimbetoor,  Dec.  30,  1783. 
"Dear  Sir, — This  morning,  early,  I  saw  the  army,  and, 
to  my  surprise,  marching.  Not  long  after,  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  Colonel  Fullarton.  With  him  I  went 
to  the  place  which  they  had  marked  out  for  encamping. 
He  told  me  that  he  had  received  strict  orders  to  quit 
Palacatcherry,  Coimbetoor,  and  of  course  the  whole  rich 
crop,  which,  as  to  the  Sirkar*  share,  would  have  sufficed 
to  maintain  the  whole  army  for  a  year,  nay,  more  than 
that.  I  asked  him  whither  he  was  to  move.  He  replied, 
'To  Dindegal,'  &,c.  'Alas!'  said  I,  'is  the  peace  so 
certain  that  you  quit  all,  before  the  negotiation  is  ended  ? 
The  possession  of  these  two  rich  countries  would  have 
kept  Tippoo  in  awe,  and  would  have  inclined  him  to  give 
you  reasonable  terms.  But  you  quit  the  reins,  and  how 
will  you  manage  that  beast?'  The  Colonel  said,  'I  could 
not  help  it.  I  have  written  in  strong  terms  to  govern- 
ment,' &c.  Just  now  I  write  a  letter  to  Roschen  Chan. 
When  that  is  sent  off,  I  shall  converse  with  the  Colonel, 
and  then  give  you  the  sum  of  all.  The  letters  which  I 
have  brought,  he  is  now  reading,  and  particularly  those 
proposals  sent  to  me,  with  your  observations.  But  as  you 
have  given  up  Palacatcherry  and  Coimbetoor,  I  look  upon 
those  proposals  almost  as  ineffectual.     But  perhaps  things 

*  Government. 
20* 


234  MEMOIRS   OF 

may  be  better  than  I  at  present  think.     If  so,  I  shall  be 
happy  in  rejecting  my  mistaken  fancy. 

"  Coimbetoor  is  truly  a  pleasant  country.  The  inhabi- 
tants, I  hear,  were  much  pleased  with  the  mild  treatment 
they  met  with  from  Colonel  Fullarton." 

In  a  letter  from  Darapuram,  dated  January  22,  1784, 
Swartz  informs  Mr.  Sullivan  of  his  leaving  the  camp,  and 
going  to  Roschen  Chan,  and  from  him  to  Panden  Palleam, 
where  he  was  again  detained  a  day  and  a  half.  From 
thence  he  advanced  to  Sattimungalum,  a  fort  near  the  pass. 
Here  the  killedar  refused  to  permit  him  to  proceed  any 
farther  without  an  express  order  from  Tippoo,  which  it 
would  require  ten  days  to  receive.  He  was  under  the 
necessity  of  submitting,  and  accordingly  waited  eleven 
days  in  the  Fort,  without  being  allowed  to  walk  out,  or 
take  the  air.  At  length,  the  killedar  said  he  could  obtain 
no  order  ;  and  Swartz  was,  in  consequence,  obliged  to 
return  to  Roschen  Chan.  Before  he  reached  that  officer, 
Navas  Beg,  succeeded  to  the  command,  and  sent  to  say 
that  he  was  sorry  he  had  been  stopped,  and  that  he  might 
now  go  through  the  pass. 

"  This  is  the  short  story,"  he  adds,  "  of  my  disappoint- 
ment. Some  say,  that  as  the  peace  was  concluded, 
Tippoo  did  not  wish  to  have  more  people  come  to  him. 
Others  have  different  conjectures,  with  which  it  would  be 
improper  to  trouble  you.  I  am  sorry  that  the  whole  in- 
tention of  Lord  Macartney  and  yours,  and,  I  may  add, 
mine,  has  been  frustrated.  However,  if  a  solid  peace  be 
concluded,  no  matter  who  was  present  or  absent.  To- 
morrow I  shall  leave  this  place,  and  I  hope  to  wait  on 
you  in  eight  days.  May  a  merciful  God  direct  all  negotia- 
tion to  the  welfare  of  this  poor  distressed  country  ! 

"  The  gentlemen  commissioners  have  been  called  by 
Tippoo  to  the  other  coast  at  Mangalore,  where  he  still  is." 

From  Diudegal,  on  the  30th  of  January,  Swartz  wrote 
to  Mr.  Sullivan  that  he  had  been  detained  some  days  on 
account  of  parties  of  Tippoo's  horse  being  on  the  road, 
and  inaking  depredations  ;  which  did  not  look,  he  said, 
very  friendly  ;  that  Captain  Maitland  wrote  to  Navas  Beg 
not,  to  molest  the  people  ;  who  answered,  that  the  English 
having  given  up  Darapuram,  had  now  nothing  to  do  with 
the  people,  and  complaining  that  we  had  not  kept  our 
word  in  delivering  up  Palacatcherry. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  235 

"For  my  part,"  he  says,  "I  wish  we  had  never 
promised  ;  or  if  we  had,  that  we  had  kept  it  strictly. 
The  reproach  of  breaking  promises  becomes  loud  and 
general. 

"  May  God  bless  you  in  all  respects  !"  He  then  adds 
with  admirable  foresight  and  prudence  ;  "  As  it  is  not 
improbable  that  hostilities  may  still  be  carried  on,  it  would 
be  very  good  if  the  king  of  Tanjore  would  hasten  the 
cutting  of  the  paddy  as  much  as  possible." 

Such  was  the  unexpected  termination  of  this  second 
intended  expedition  to  Seringapatam.  It  was,  however, 
the  occasion  of  the  following  distinguished  testimony  to 
the  singular  excellence  and  value  of  Swartz's  character 
from  Colonel  Fullarton,  who  thus  mentions  his  visit  to  the 
army  which  he  commanded,  in  a  letter  to  the  government 
of  Madras. 

"  On  our  second  march  we  were  visited  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Swartz,  whom  your  Lordship  and  the  Board  requested  to 
proceed  as  a  faithful  interpreter  between  Tippoo  and  the 
commissioners.  The  knowledge  and  the  integrity  of  this 
irreproachable  missionary  have  retrieved  the  character  of 
Europeans  from  imputations  of  general  depravity.  A 
respectable  escort  attended  him  to  the  nearest  encamp- 
ment of  the  enemy,  but  he  was  stopped  at  Satlimuiigalura, 
and  returned  to  Tanjore.  I  rejoice,  however,  that  he 
undertook  the  business  ;  for  his  journal,  which  has  been 
before  your  board,  evinces  that  the  southern  army  acted 
towards  our  enemies  with  a  mildness  seldom  experienced 
by  friends  in  moments  of  pacification.  From  him,  also, 
you  learned,  that  this  conduct  operated  on  the  minds  of 
the  inhabitants,  who  declare  that  we  afforded  them  more 
secure  protection  than  the  commanders  of  their  own 
troops."* 

On  the  4th  of  February  Swartz  returned  in  health  and 
safety  to  Tanjore. 

The  anxiety  of  Lord  Macartney  that  Swartz  should  be 
present  at  the  negotiations  at  Mangalore,  induced  him  to 
direct  an  application  to  be  made  to  Tippoo  Sultan,  to 
grant  him  a  pass,  who  in  reply  expressed  himself  in  the 
following  words  : — 

•  View  of  the  British  Interests  in  India. 


236  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  Agreeably  to  your  desire,  I  have  sent  orders  to  the 
amildars  of  Saltimungahim  to  permit  the  Rev.  Mr.  Suartz 
to  go  to  you  through  their  districts." 

The  select  committee  at  Fort  St.  George,  in  communi- 
cating this  letter  to  the  resident  at  Tanjore,  observe,  "We 
entertain  a  hope  that  this  second  attempt  to  join  the  com- 
missioners may  be  attended  with  better  success,  more 
particularly  if  Mr.  Swartz  were  to  take  the  route  of  Telli- 
cherry  ;  we  are  thus  earnest  on  this  point,  as  we  are  of 
opinion  that  great  advantage  may  result  to  the  negotiations 
from  Mr.  Swartz's  assistance,  his  knowledge  of  the  lan- 
guage, and  his  distinguished  integrity." 

,  The  following  letter  to  his  friends  at  Vellore  explains 
his  reasons  for  declining  a  second  attempt  to  reach  the 
commissioners,  and  gives  some  account  both  of  his  recent 
journey,  and  of  his  own  feelings  during  this  trying  period. 

"  Tanjore,  March  4, 1784. 

"  Hitherto  a  gracious  God  has  preserved,  guided,  and 
comforted  us.  This  is,  and  ought  to  be,  our  first  consider- 
ation in  the  midst  of  all  the  calamities  which  v.e  have 
experienced.  How  many  dangers  have  we  escaped — how 
many  of  our  fellow-creatures  fell  on  our  right  hand  and  on 
our  left ;  but  God  has  hid  us  under  the  pavilion  of  his  kind 
providence!  The  103d  Psalm  should  be  precious  to  us  ; 
for  it  expresses  and  magnifies  all  the  divine  benefits  which 
God  has  so  richly  bestowed  upon  us.  But  not  only  in 
words  ought  we  to  express  our  gratitude,  but  in  and  by 
our  lives.  Surely  God  deserves  to  be  obeyed  by  us,  par- 
ticularly as  we  only  reap  the  benefit  of  it. 

"I  heartily  wished  to  see  you,  and  I  entertained  a  lively 
hope,  that  in  my  return  from  the  Mysore  country  I  should 
meet  you.  But  God  has  been  pleased  to  lead  nie  by 
another  road." 

Here  he  mentions  his  late  expedition,  his  detention  by 
Tippoo's  officers,  and  his  return  to  Darapuram.  He  then 
continues : 

"To  this  day  I  do  not  know  the  reason  why  I  was  not 
permitted  to  proceed.  One  said  it  was  because  Tippoo 
would  not  treat  till  Mangaloie  was  in  his  possession. 
Some  entertained  other  conjectures.  I  thank  God  for  his 
mercy  and  providence  over  me.     I  should  have  been  very 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  237 

glad  if  I  could  have  been  an  instrument  in  that  great 
work  of  peace-making.  But  who  knows  but  there  might 
have  been  temptations  too  great  for  me  ?  In  short,  what- 
ever God  does  is  right,  and  the  best  for  us.  After  my 
return,  the  governor  desired  that  I  would  take  a  second 
trip  by  the  way  of  Tellicherry  ;  but  having  a  severe  scor- 
butic eruption  on  my  legs,  I  found  myself  unable  to  go 
— I  therefore  declined  it.  Even  now  1  am  not  free  from 
that  complaint.  But  if  I  had  made  another  attempt,  I 
could  not  have  forced  my  way  to  Tippoo.  If  he  refused 
to  admit  me,  what  could  I  do?  Two  refusals  I  met  with. 
I  wrote  first  from  Tanjore,  and  the  second  time  from 
Sattimungalum.  To  spend  my  time  in  roving  about  the 
country  to  little  or  no  purpose  was  disagreeable.  If  gov- 
ernment had  sent  me  with  the  commissioners,  I  should 
have  attended  them.  I  entreat  God  to  bless  them  with 
wisdom,  resolution  and  integrity,  to  settle  the  business  to 
the  welHxre  of  this  poor  country.  But  alas  !  we  ourselves 
are  so  divided — one  pulls  one  way,  the  other  quite  a  dif- 
ferent one.  When  one  considers  all,  high  and  low,  rich 
and  poor,  rulers  and  those  that  are  ruled,  one  is  struck 
with  grief,  and  a  variety  of  passions.  What  blindness, 
insensibility,  and  obstinacy,  greediness,  and  rapacious- 
ness  ! — a  thousand  times  I  think  with  myself,  '  Must  all 
these  people  die  —  must  they  all  give  a  strict  account  of 
their  lives — must  they  all  appear  before  the  tribunal  of 
Jesus,  the  mediator  and  judge  ?  How  little  do  they  mind 
their  end,  and  the  consequences  of  their  lives!' 

"  But,  however,  in  spite  of  all  these  horrid  confusions, 
which  are  so  prevalent  upon  earth,  God  has  some  likewise, 
who  serve  him  faithfully  though  imperfectly.  This  morn- 
ing we  read  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  the  Revelation ; 
wherein  Jesus  is  represented  as  the  lamb  sacrificed  for  us, 
and  our  redemption,  and  with  him  144,000,  who  had  the 
name  of  God  written  on  their  foreheads.  O  that  tec  may 
openly  and  sincerely  confess  the  name  of  our  God  on  all 
occasions !  They  were  singing  a  new  song,  (and  should 
not  new  mercies  require  a  new  song  ?)  No  one  could 
learn  that  song  save  those  144,000.  Whoever  gives  his 
heart  to  the  world  will  never  be  able  to  praise  God  sin> 
cerely.  Surely  every  true  believer  gives  his  whole  heart 
to  the  Lord  Jesus.  Those  blessed  ones  follow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he  goeth.     This  is  the  sure  evidence  of  our 


238  MEMOIRS   OF 

believing  in  Jesus.  They  at  least  do  not  adulterate  the 
word  of  God.  All  the  world  is  upon  that  scheme.  Every 
one  wishes  to  explain  it  according  to  his  inclination — but 
that  is  pernicious.  Let  us  then  accept  of  the  word  of  God, 
take  it,  use  it,  and  practise  it  as  it  lies  before  us,  even 
when  it  desires  us  to  mortify  our  beloved  sins.  My  sincere 
wish  and  prayer  is,  that  you  and  I  may  be  found  true 
disciples  of  Jesus,  and  so  at  last  rejoice  with  him  eter- 
nally." 

The  English  commissioners,  after  a  tedious  and  haras- 
sing journey,  were  conducted  from  Seringapatam  to  Man- 
galore,  where,  amidst  much  studied  mortification  and 
insult,  they  at  length  succeeded  in  concluding  a  treaty  of 
peace  with  Tippoo,  on  the  llth  of  March,  1784. 

"  The  goodness  and  mercy  of  God  towards  us,"  thus 
Mr.  Swartz  gratefully  writes  upon  this  occasion  to  professor 
Freylinghausen,  "  have  been  unspeakably  great  during 
the  whole  of  the  war,  and  to  the  present  moment.  It  is 
indeed  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  have  not  been  con- 
sumed." 

To  another  of  his  friends  about  this  time  he  wrote  as 
follows : — 

"  The  war  with  Hyder  and  his  son  Tippoo,  is  now 
ended.  But  notwithstanding,  the  misery  is  still  great, 
Tippoo  is  augmenting  his  army  every  day.  He  is  a  much 
more  enterprising  soldier  than  his  father.  Every  com- 
mandant who  surrendered  a  fortress  to  the  English  he 
ordered  to  be  hung.  Having  carried  twelve  thousand 
children  captive  from  Tanjore,  he  compelled  them  all  to 
become  Mohaminedans.  He  has  done  every  thing  in  his 
power  to  exterminate  the  Malabar  Roman  Catholics,  in 
which  he  has  so  far  succeeded,  that  no  one  dares  to  call 
himself  a  Christian.  He  will  not  have  any  subjects  except 
such  as  are  either  heatiiens  or  Mohammedans.  As  for 
the  former,  they  are  almost  entirely  devoid  of  feeling  ; 
they  hear  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  explained,  and  even 
applaud  them,  and  yet  go  on  in  their  old  way,  as  if  they 
had  heard  nothing  about  it.  Some  brahmins  lately  said 
to  me,  *  We  have  no  objection  to  hear  these  things  ;  but 
heavenly  objects  do  not  make  much  impression  upon  us.' 
This  avowal  is  certainly  too  true ;  and  they  are  moreover 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  239 

so  timid,  that  they  would  not  dare  to  profess  the  faith  of 
Christ  before  their  relations.  This  is  truly  stony  ground, 
which  requires  much  seed,  and  returns  but  little  fruit." 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  Swartz  suffered  considerably 
from  weakness  and  exhaustion  ;  and  though  he  performed 
his  various  duties  as  usual,  he  was  advised  to  try  the  effect 
of  a  journey  to  the  coast  for  the  restoration  of  his  health. 
It  is  to  these  circumstances  that  he  refers  in  the  following 
truly  apostolic  letter  to  his  friends  at  Vellore. 

"  Katternate,  near  Tanjore,  July  10,  1784. 
"  My  dear  Friends, — It  is  a  long  time  since  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  addressing  you.  Illness  has  prevented  me. 
I  can  hardly  describe  to  you  the  nature  of  my  weakness. 
I  felt  no  pain,  but  such  a  relaxation  in  my  frame,  that 
speaking,  walking,  &-c.  fatigued  me,  so  that  often  I  could 
scarcely  stand.  This  I  felt  during  April  and  May. 
When  we  were  favored  with  some  refreshing  showers,  I 
revived  a  little  ;  and  at  present  I  am  much  better,  though 
still  weak.  But  enough  of  this.  Age  comes  upon  me  : 
I  have  no  reason  therefore  to  wonder  at  weakness. 

"  If  the  mind  be  sound,  all  is  well  ;  the  rest  we  shall 
quit  when  we  enter  into  the  grave.  Tliat  will  cure  all 
our  bodily  indispositions.  On  this  subject  1  meditate 
frequently.  And,  Ol  may  God  grant  me  grace  to  do  it 
more  effectually,  that  I  may  number  my  (perhaps  very 
few)  days.  Eternity  is  an  awful  subject,  which  should  be 
continually  in  our  mind. 

"  I  know,  I  feel  it,  that  I  have  no  righteousness  of  my 
own,  whereon  I  would  dare  to  depend  for  eternal  happi- 
ness. If  God  should  enter  with  me  into  judgment,  what 
would  become  of  me  ?  But  blessed,  for  ever  blessed,  be 
the  adorable  mercy  of  God,  which  has  provided  a  sure 
expedient  for  guilty  man.  The  atonement  of  Jesus  is 
the  foundation  of  my  hope,  peace,  love  and  happiness. 
Though  I  am  covered  all  over  with  sit),  the  blood  of 
Jesus  cleanseth  me  from  all  mine  iniquities,  and  sets  my 
heart  at  rest.  Though  I  am  a  corrupted  creature,  the 
Spirit  of  Jesus  enlighteneth,  cheereih,  and  strengtheneth 
us  to  hate  and  abominate  all  sin,  and  to  renounce  the  lusts 
of  the  world  and  the  flesh.  Though  the  day  of  judgment 
is  approaching,  the  love  of  God  comforts  us  so  far  as  to 


240  MEMOIRS  OF 

have  boldness  to  appear  before  our  Judge  ;  not  as  if  we 
were  innocent  creatures,  but  because  we  are  pardoned, 
washed,  and  cleansed  in  the  blood  of  Christ. 

"  O !  my  dear  friends,  an  interest  in  the  atonement  of 
Jesus,  and  a  participation  in  the  graces  of  his  Spirit ; 
these  constitute  a  Christian,  tbese  cheer  and  strengthen 
the  heart,  these  glorify  God,  and  prepare  for  heaven. 

"  Let  ug  daily,  therefore,  come  before  God  through  the 
blessed  Jesus;  but  let  us,  at  the  same  time,  not  neglect 
the  second  point,  viz.  our  sanctification.  Our  time  is 
short.  Within  some  days,  I  have  sojourned  in  this  coun- 
try thirty-four  years.  The  end  of  my  journey  is,  even 
according  to  the  course  of  nature,  near.  May  I  not  flag ! 
May  my  last  days  be  the  best!  But  as  long  as  we  live 
together  upon  earth,  let  us  admonish  and  stir  up  one 
another. 

"  Remember   me   to   Mrs.  F ,   and   tell  her  not  to 

overvalue  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  but  to  let  her  mind 
feed  on  pleasures  which  are  substantial  and  permanent. 
I  am  to  take  a  journey  near  the  sea.  Perhaps  the  sea-air 
may  brace  rne  up  a  little.  I  shall  remember  you  in  my 
poor  paternosters,  and,  if  I  can,  send  you  another  line 
from  the  sea-shore.  Farewell !  May  grace,  peace,  and 
divine  mercy  follow  you  at  all  times  !  " 

Soon  after  the  date  of  the  preceding  letter,  Mr.  Sullivan 
requested  Swartz  to  accompany  him  into  the  Mara  war 
country,  as  he  was  afraid  of  trusting  to  a  native  interpreter. 
To  this  he  willingly  acceded,  both  on  account  of  his 
health,  and  as  it  would  afford  him  many  opportunities  of 
preaching  to  the  natives.  It  was  in  the  course  of  this 
journey  that  Mr.  Sullivan  took  occasion  to  suggest  to 
him  apian,  the  tendency  of  which  seemed  to  be  eminently 
calculated  to  promote  the  moral  improvement  of  the 
natives,  and  ultimately  the  diffusion  of  Christianity  in 
India. 

"  At  Ramanadapuram,"*  he  writes,  "  the  conversation 
turned  on  the  education  of  youth.  Mr.  Sullivan  observed, 
that  it  might  be  of  great  importance  to  establish  English 
schools  in  every  province.  'In  the  first  place,'  he  said, 
*  the  children  and  the  parents,  through  their  means,  would 

*  Ramanad  is  the  greater  Marawar. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  241 

become  better  acquainted  with  the  principles  and  habits 
of  Christians,  and  their  obstinate  attachment  to  their  own 
customs  would  be  shaken.  The  schoolmasters,  if  pious 
men,  would  exhibit  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the 
gospel,  both  to  children  and  parents;  a  freer  intercourse 
would  be  opened  between  natives  and  Europeans;  and  the 
children  being  instructed  in  the  English  language,  would 
not  need  to  rely  on  deceitful  interpreters.'  The  proposal 
was  highly  agreeable  to  me,  though  I  foresaw  great  diffi- 
culties in  the  execution  of  it.  I  asked  where  we  should 
obtain  schoolmasters ;  to  which  he  answered,  that  a  sem- 
inary should  be  erected  at  Tanjore  for  their  education, 
and  several  active  young  men  should  be  sent  for  from 
Germany.  On  inquiring  who  would  be  at  the  charge  of 
their  salaries,  he  replied,  '  The  petty  princes  of  the  prov- 
inces;' and  observed,  that  it  would  be  much  better  if  a 
small  village  were  granted  for  the  purpose.  Accordingly, 
we  spoke  to  the  rajah  of  Ramanadapuram  on  the  subject. 
'It  would  be  an  excellent  plan,'  said  he,  'and  I  wish  there 
were  such  schools  in  every  village.'  His  minister  pro- 
mised to  explain  the  case,  as  it  related  to  the  salary,  to 
his  master.  We  therefore  said  no  more  on  that  point.  On 
further  consideration,  however,  he  thought  it  more  ad- 
visable to  obtain  a  written  promise  from  the  rajah  to  settle 
a  sum  on  the  school,  to  be  paid  every  month  ;  and  to  this 
he  readily  consented." 

From  Ramanadapuram  Swartz  preceeded  to  Sheva- 
gunga,*  where  he  made  a  similar  proposal  to  the  prin- 
cipal man  of  the  place,  who  also  approved  it,  and  promised 
to  give  a  village  for  the  support  of  a  schoolmaster.  Lord 
Macartney,  and  the  nabob  of  Arcot  were  afterwards  made 
acquainted  with  the  scheme,  and  both  highly  commend- 
ed it. 

On  his  return  to  Tanjore  Mr.  Sullivan  addressed  the 
king  upon  this  interesting  subject,  in  the  presence  of 
Swartz.  His  highness  consented  that  such  a  school  as 
they  recommended  should  be  established  in  or  near  the 
Fort,  promising  to  allow  forty  pagodas  (^16)  a  month  for 
its  support.  Mr.  Sullivan  then  appointed  a  salary  of  ^GO 
to  a  schoolmaster,  conceiving  that  with  less  he  would  not 
be  able  to  maintain  himself 

*  The  lesser  Marawar. 

21 


242  MEMOIRS  OF 

"Every  year,"  adds  Mr.  Swartz,  "the  missionary  at 
Tanjore  or  Trichinopoly  must  visit  these  schools ;  of 
course  the  expenses  of  such  a  journey  must  be  defrayed 
from  the  fund ;  and  if  something  remain,  as  we  hope, 
some  soldier's  children  or  orplmns  should  be  freely  edu- 
cated and  maintained." 

The  journey  to  Ramanadapuram  proved  very  beneficial 
to  his  health  ;  and  in  the  month  of  September  following, 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  proposed  plan  of  English 
schools,  he  proceeded  to  Tondi,  on  the  coast  of  Coroman- 
del.  From  this  place  he  wrote,  on  the  20th,  to  Mr. 
Sullivan,  as  follows  : — 

"  If  you  should  find  an  opportunity  of  being  an  advocate 
for  orphans,  I  know  you  will  not  forget  it.  If  you  think 
it  proper  to  present  my  respects  to  Lord  Macartney,  I  re- 
quest you  to  do  it.  You  are  the  best  judge  of  it.  Cura 
ut  vahas.  Your  health,  I  hope,  and  am  persuaded,  will 
be  a  blessing  not  only  to  yourself,  but  to  the  public  also." 

In  a  second  letter  from  Tondi,  on  the  29th  of  Septem- 
ber, he  mentions  that  the  military  commander  had  cut 
down  more  than  a  thousand  Palmeira  trees  for  building 
bungalows  for  the  troops.  "  The  natives,"  he  says, 
"  wept ;  these  trees  forming  a  dowry  for  their  daughters." 
He  therefjre  proposes  a  small  compensation,  to  be  paid 

by  Colonel  F ,  not  to  the  sirkar,  but  with  his  own 

hands. 

"  I  am  happy,"  he  adds,  "  to  hear  that  your  health  is 
rather  mending.  Ex  animo  opto  precorqiie  ut  animus  sit 
sarins  in  cor  pore  sano*  Take  care  of  both — body  as  well 
as  soul.  Remember  me  to  your  friends.  Yours  are 
mine." 

On  his  return  to  Tanjore  in  October,  he  informed  Mr. 
Sullivan,  who  was  then  absent,  that  he  had  received  an 
answer  from  the  Pradani  of  Ramanad,  stating  that  the 
rajah  had  resolved  to  allow  for  the  proposed  school, 
monthly,  twenty-four  pagodas.  "  Whether  this  will  meet 
with  your  approbation  or  not,"  he  says,  "  I  know  not. 
Some  people  think  that  a  monthly  payment  is  uncertain. 


*  "  I  heartily  desire  and  pray,  tliat  3'ou  may  possess  a  vigorous 
mind  in  a  healtliy  body." 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  243 

and  a  sort  of  monthly  begging,  attended  with  trouble,  and 
struck  off  as  soon  as  they  are  tired.  The  Shevagunga 
man  has  written  to  me  that  he  would  make  a  small  addi- 
tion. However,  I  hope  all  will  be  better  settled  when  you 
return  to  us.  May  God  establish  your  health,  and  bless 
you  with  peace  and  cheerfulness  of  mind  !  " 

Early  in  December,  he  communicated  to  Mr.  Sullivan 
the  report  of  an  intended  invasion,  on  the  part  of  Tippoo, 
and  suggested  the  expediency  of  purchasing  paddy,  in 
order  to  be  prepared.  He  then  adds,  "  1  have  got  a  new 
congregation.  I  mean  the  soldiers  at  Wallam,  whom  I 
am  desired  to  visit.  As  often  as  I  come,  they  receive  me 
in  a  friendly  manner,  and  attend  divine  worship  decently, 
and  take  tracts.  Nay,  some  learn  to  read  ;  for  which 
good  purpose  I  have  supplied  them  with  spelling-books. 
I  have  read  the  Sketch  of  English  Government,  translated 

by  Mr.  F .     At  present,  this  paper  would  do  no  good. 

Times  ought  to  be  more  undisturbed  for  such  a  publica- 
tion.    This  I  merely  refer  to  you. 

"Here  we  have  no  rain;  and  therefore  a  dismal  pros- 
pect. The  small  grain  withers  away  ;  the  paddy  likewise 
looks  ill.  It  seems  as  if  God  intended  to  punish  this 
country  again.  And  who  can  say  any  thing  against  his 
judgments?  Every  one  has  reason  to  humble  himself. 
Nay,  the  people  begin  to  suspect  Tippoo's  intentions. 
May  God  have  mercy  on  this  poor  nation,  and  spare  them 
kindly!" 

At  the  close  of  this  year,  Mr.  Swartz  addressed  the 
following  interesting  letter  to  one  of  his  valued  friends 
at  Vellore,  vviio  had  requested  his  opinion  as  to  some 
well-known  writers  of  our  church.  After  referring  to 
his  young  friend,  J.  Kohlhoff,  who  had  written  to  inform 
them  of  his  recent  journeys,  and  had  assured  them  that, 
notwithstanding  his  advanced  age,  he  performed  his 
various  duties  with  the  same  vigor  and  ability  which 
he  had  manifested  ten  years  before,  he  proceeds  as 
follows  : — 

"  At  present,  I  am  so  far  established  in  health,  that 
my  labor  is  rather  delightful  to  me  than  troublesome, 
which  was  not  the  case  in  April  and  May.  May  God, 
who  has  bestowed  so  many  blessings  on  me,  a  poor  sinner, 


244  MEMOIRS  OF 

grant  that  the  last  days  of  my  life  maybe  well  spent; 
that  I  may  finish  my  course  with  peace,  if  not  with  joy. 

"We  are  not  only  allowed,  but  even  commanded  to 
*  rejoice  in  the  Lord.'  No  joy  has  so  good  and  firm  a 
foundation,  as  that  which  is  to  be  found  in  the  Lord,  who 
has  bought  us,  redeemed  us,  and  prepared  for  us  all  true 
happiness.  Shall  we  not  rejoice  in  his  salvation,  pardon, 
peace,  strength,  and  kingdom  1  But  whoever  wishes  to 
rejoice  in  the  blessings  purchased  for  us  by  Jesus  Christ, 
must  be  in  him,  closely  united  to  him,  renouncing  sin, 
and  all  the  false  pleasures  of  the  world,  and  hungering 
and  thirsting  after  him.  This  true  union  and  communion 
with  Jesus  is  the  source  of  joy — the  only  source.  From 
hence  will  follow  a  willingness  to  love,  serve,  obey,  and 
glorify  him  as  long  as  we  live.  Is  it  possible  that  we, 
who  have  found  pardon,  peace,  and  a  lively  hope  of  a 
glorious  eternity  in  Jesus  ;  that  we,  who  have  been  made 
happy  by  him,  should  not  wish  and  endeavor  to  live  to  his 
glory  ? 

"  But  if  instead  of  trusting  in  Jesus,  and  his  consum- 
mate atonement,  we  trust  and  rely  on  our  own  virtue, 
and  consequently  stand  upon  our  own  foundation,  we  shall 
never  enjoy  a  moment's  peace  and  unshaken  delight. 
Our  virtue  and  holiness  are,  and  must  remain,  imperfect. 
We  shall,  therefore,  always  have  reason  to  confess  before 
God,  '  If  thou  wilt  mark  in  my  thoughts,  designs,  inten- 
tions, what  is  amiss.  Lord,  who  shall  stand  before  thee  ?' 
Let  us,  therefore,  seek  for  pardon,  peace,  and  joy  in  Jesus  ; 
and  having  found  that,  let  us  be  grateful  and  obedient. 
But  though  we  should  be  as  holy  as  any  of  the  apostles, 
let  us  beware  lest  we  put  our  confidence  in  any  thing  but 
the  sufferings  and  atoning  death  of  Jesus  Christ. 

"  In  this  grand  fundamental  article  of  true  Christianity, 
I  like  none  so  much  as  good  Bishop  Beveridge.  He 
forgets  not  to  raise  the  superstructure  of  holiness  ;  but 
he  lays  first  the  foundation  in  a  true  and  lively  trust  in 
Jesus,  as  Paul  likewise  has  done.  Read  Philippians  iii. 
In  the  explanation  of  holiness.  Archbishop  Tillotson  is 
excellent ;  but  he  does  not  so  well,  so  clearly  lay  the 
foundation  as  Beveridge,  Hervey,  and  the  first  reformers. 
When  thou  comfortest  my  heart,  then,  and  not  till  then, 
shall  I  run  in  the  way  of  thy  commandments.  The  divine 
commandments,  well  and  spiritually  considered,  will  con- 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  245 

vince  us  of  our  sinfulness  and  corruption,  and,  of  course, 
condemn  us.  (Rom.  vii.)  Being  condemned  by  the  law, 
as  servants  who  owe  to  their  Lord  ten  thousand  talents, 
how  shall  we  pay  off  our  debt  ?  By  the  few  pence  of  our 
own  virtue  ?  No  ;  but  by  the  complete  atonement  made 
by  Jesus  Christ.  This  atonement  of  Jesus  is  offered  in 
the  gospel  to  every  one  who  knows  and  feels  his  sinful- 
ness, and  wishes  to  be  delivered  from  the  curse  he  has 
deserved  by  it.  To  those  who  feel  the  burden  of  their 
sins,  and  groan  under  it,  how  inexpressibly  sweet  is  and 
must  be  that  tender  invitation  of  Christ,  (Matt,  xi.,) 
'  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest;'  by  taking  the  burden  from  you. 
"  That  you  and  your  dear  husband  may  rejoice  in 
Jesus,  here  and  in  a  blessed  eternity,  is  the  sincere  wish 
of  your  old  friend, 

"  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 

"  P.  S. — Pray  let  us  know  how  your  school  goes  on. 
Are  there  some  of  the  black  people  who  profess  Chris- 
tianity ?     Is  there  any  one  who  instructs  them  ? 

"  As  to  the  Malabar  church  which  I  have  been  building 
in  the  suburbs.  General  Munro  encouraged  me,  by  giving 
me  fifty  pagodas.  But  when  I  found  that  the  stones  which 
I  needed  for  the  foundation,  cost  twenty-five  pagodas, 
without  chunam,*  I  thought  I  should  soon  stop  my  mill 
for  want  of  water ;  but  the  rajah  having  given  me  some 
gold  cloths  at  the  time  of  Lord  Pigot's  arrival,  when  the 
general  was  lately  here,  I  took  them  to  the  merchants, 
who,  to  my  agreeable  surprise,  valued  them  at  one  hun- 
dred and  thirt3'-six  pagodas  ;  so  that  I  could  prosecute  ray 
plan  without  interruption.  I  hope  that  God,  who  has  so 
graciously  furnished  me  with  the  means  of  building  a 
house  of  prayer,  will  fill  it  also  with  spiritual  children, 
to  the  praise  of  his  name.  He  is  strong  who  hath  prom- 
ised us  such  glorious  things.  Read  for  that  purpose  my 
favorite  chapter  of  Isaiah,  xlix. 'verses  4 — 7,  18 — 20.  I 
cheerfully  believe  that  God  'will  build  the  waste  places' 
of  this  country.  But  should  it  be  done  after  we  are  laid 
in  the  grave,  what  harm  ?  This  country  is  covered  with 
thorns ;  let  us  plough   and  sow  good  seed,  and  entreat 

*  Stucco. 
21* 


246  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  Lord  to  make   it  spring  up.     Our  labor  in  the  Lord, 
in  his  cause  and  for  his  glory,  will  not  be  in  vain." 

The  conclusion  of  the  preceding  letter,  in  which  Mr. 
Swartz,  with  so  much  simplicity,  mentions  the  disinter- 
ested liberality  with  which  he  contributed  to  the  fund  for 
building  a  church  for  the  native  Christians  in  the  suburbs 
of  Tanjore,  may  with  propriety  direct  our  attention  to  his 
character  as  a  preacher.  His  religious  principles,  and 
even  his  views  of  Christian  doctrine,  have  been  already 
amply  developed,  both  in  the  extracts  from  his  missionary 
journals,  and  in  the  letters  to  his  friends,  in  the  former 
chapters  of  this  memoir.  Swartz  himself  published  nothing, 
either  in  the  form  of  sermons,  or  any  other  religious  in- 
struction, except  the  Dialogues  between  a  Christian  and  a 
Heathen,  which  have  been  already  mentioned,*  as  trans- 
lated into  the  Mahratta  language.  His  original  destina- 
tion, and  his  principal  employment,  as  a  missionary, 
requiring  chiefly  catechetical  instruction,  and  the  simple 
exposition  of  Scripture,  the  elaborate  composition  of  dis- 
courses for  the  pulpit  never  formed  a  part  of  his  stated 
occupation.  Though  from  the  period  of  his  residence  at 
Trichinopoly  he  was  engaged  in  preaching  to  the  British 
troops  in  garrison  at  that  place,  and  afterwards  at  Tanjore, 
it  was  only  occasionally  that  he  wrote  his  sermons  at 
length. 

His  pulpit  remains,  like  every  thing  connected  with  his 
character,  are  marked  by  the  most  perfect  simplicity;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  by  an  energy  of  thought,  and  frequently 
by  a  vigor  of  expression,  which  prove  at  once  the  sincerity 
and  the  efficacy  of  his  religion.  One  grand  subject  per- 
vaded his  sermons,  as  it  formed  the  prevailing  theme  of 
his  correspondence  and  his  ministerial  labors — the  gosp>el 
of  Christ,  as  the  only  and  all-suflicient  remedy  for  the 
guilt  and  misery  of  fallen  man  ;  the  love  of  God,  in  send- 
ing bis  Son  to  save  us  ;  the  love  of  Christ,  in  dying  for  us; 
pardon  and  peace  through  faith  in  the  atoning  blood  of 
the  cross,  that  faith  "  working  by  love"  to  God  and  man, 
purifying  the  heart,  and  overcoming  the  world  ;  producing, 
under  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  true  happiness 
even  here,  and  animating  the  Christian  with  a  lively  and 

*  See  p.  180. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  247 

joyful  hope  of  perfect  and  eternal  blessedness  hereafter. 
Such  was  the  cheering,  intelligible,  and  scriptural  view 
which  Swartz  invariably  presented  of  Christian  doctrine. 
The  incidental  references  to  his  ministerial  instructions, 
which  occur  in  his  letters  and  journals,  show  how  dili- 
gently he  labored  in  filling  up  this  outline  with  the  details 
of  principle  and  precept,  and  how  wisely  he  adapted  his 
exhortations  to  the  peculiar  character  and  condition  of 
his  hearers. 

The  very  few  of  his  surviving  friends  who  remembered 
Swartz  in  the  pulpit,  represent  his  appearance  and  manner 
as  remarkably  simple  and  unaffected,  but  energetic  and 
impressive  ;  using,  like  the  apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  "great 
plainness  of  speech,"  but  speaking  also  like  him,  "  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power,"  and  "by  mani- 
festation of  the  truth  commending  himself  to  every  man's 
conscience  in  the  sight  of  God;"  while  equally  with  the 
great  apostle,  "  speaking  the  truth  in  love,"  out  of  the 
fullness  of  a  heart  penetrated  by  the  mercies  of  the  gospel, 
and  habitually  glowing  with  Christian  kindness,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  conciliating  the  confidence  and  affection  of  his 
hearers,  and  vindicated  his  claim  to  the  character  of  true 
wisdom  by  winning  many  souls  to  the  faith  and  hope  of 
the  gospel. 


248  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Introduction  and  progress  of  Protestant  Christianity  in  Tinnevelly — 
Journey  to  Ramanadapuram  and  Palanicotta — Letter  to  a  friend 
of  Mr.  Chambers — Provincial  Schools — Communication  to  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge — Letters  to  Mrs. 
DufRn  and  Mrs.  Chambers ;  a  second  to  Mr.  Chambers's  friend — 
Retrospect  of  the  year  178G — Wretched  state  of  the  rajah  and 
kingdom  of  Tanjore — Committee  of  inspection  for  the  affairs  of 
that  country,  appointed  by  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  of  which 
Swartz  is  requested  to  become  a  member — Their  proceedings — 
Beneficial  influence  of  Swartz  with  the  people  of  Tanjore — The 
Madras  Government  expresses  its  high  sense  of  the  value  of  his 
services — Swartz  requests  the  Society  to  receive  his  youn^  friend 
Mr.  J.  Kohlhoff  as  one  of  their  missionaries. 

It  is  uncertain  at  what  period  the  district  of  Tinnevelly 
in  the  south  of  the  Peninsula  was  first  visited  by  the  Prot- 
estant missionaries.  The  Roman  Catholics  had  long 
been  numerous,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  some  of  the 
early  converts  at  Tranquebar  may  have  carried  thither 
the  knowledge  of  purer  evangelical  truth.  The  first 
notice  of  this  part  of  the  country  in  the  journals  of  Swartz, 
occurs  in  the  year  1771,  and  is  as  follows  : — 

"At  Palamcotta,  a  fort  and  one  of  the  chief  towns  of 
Tinnevelly,  about  two  hundred  miles  from  Trichinopoly, 
there  resides  a  Christian  of  our  congregation,  Schavri- 
rnuttu,  who  having  been  instructed,  reads  the  word  of  God 
to  the  resident  Romish  and  heathens.  And  an  English 
sergeant,  whose  wife  is  a  member  of  our  congregation,  has 
in  a  manner  taken  up  the  cause.  A  young  heathen 
accountant  had  heard  the  truth  with  satisfaction.  He  was 
once  here,  (at  Trichinopoly,)  listened  to  all  that  was 
represented  from  the  word  of  God  in  silence,  and  promised 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  249 

to  place  himself  under  further  instruction.  The  sergeant 
made  him  learn  the  five  principle  articles  of  the  catechism, 
and  then  baptized  him.  It  grieved  us  that  he  should  have 
baptized  the  young  man  before  he  had  attained  a  distinct 
knowledge  of  Christianity.  Besides,  such  an  inconsid* 
erate  step  might  ^rove  injurious  both  to  the  heathens  and 
Roman  Catholics.     May  God  mercifully  avert  all  evil  ! " 

A  few  years  after  the  time  at  which  the  circumstances 
thus  related,  took  place,  Mr.  Swartz  visited  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Palamcotta,  when  the  widow  of  a  brahmin  applied 
to  him  to  be  baptized  ;  but  as  she  was  then  living  with  an 
English  officer,  he  told  her  that  while  she  continued  that 
illicit  connection,  he  could  not  comply  with  her  request. 
It  appears,  however,  that  the  officer  had  privately  promised 
to  marry  her  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  he  was  instructing 
her  in  the  English  language,  and  even  in  the  principles  of 
Christianity.  After  his  death,  she  renewed  her  application 
to  Swartz,  and  as  her  conduct  was  then  perfectly  correct, 
he  baptized  her  by  the  name  of  Clarinda.  She  continued 
to  reside  in  the  south  of  India  ;  but  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  late  war,  she  and  two  Roman  Catholic  Christians 
from  the  same  quarter  came  to  Tanjore.  One  of  these 
persons  had  obtained  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament,  and 
of  the  Ecclesiastical  History  published  by  the  missionaries 
at  Tranquebar,*  which  he  read  with  so  much  effect,  that 
he  was  not  only  himself  convinced  of  the  errors  of  the 
church  of  Rome,  but  testified  against  them  so  strongly 
that  many  around  him  were  much  impressed  by  his 
representations.  He  and  his  fellow-traveller  now  visited 
Mr.  Swartz,  and  entreated  that  a  missionary  or  native 
assistant  might  come  and  teach  them  more  perfectly.  He 
accordingly  sent  one  of  his  catechists  to  Palamcotta,  to 
instruct  the  rising  congregation  in  that  neighborhood. 
The  zealous  female  convert  just  mentioned,  with  the 
assistance  of  one  or  two  English  gentlemen,  built  a  small 
but  neat  church  at  that  place  ;  and  from  this  period  the 
attention  of  Swartz  was  anxiously  directed  to  a  quarter  in 
which  the  congregations  of  Christians  have  since  become 
so  numerous  and  so  prosperous. 

In   a  letter,  dated  in   September,  1785,  and   commu- 

*  See  Introductory  Sketch,  p.  32. 


250  MEMOIRS   OF 

nicated  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  knowledge, 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pasche,  Swartz  writes,  that  he  was  just 
returned  from  an  official  journey,  which  had  occupied 
him  between  two  and  three  months.  He  first  proceeded 
to  Ramanadapuram,  for  the  purpose  of  instituting 
the  English  provincial  school  there ;  which  he  accom- 
plished. The  beginning  was  made  with  ten  young 
persons.  The  reigning  prince  and  his  minister  sent  their 
children  to  the  school,  of  which  Mr.  Wheatley  from 
Tanjore  was  appointed  master.  At  this  place,  according 
to  his  invariable  practice,  he  embraced  the  opportunity  of 
preaching  the  gospel  to  all  descriptions  of  persons.  From 
thence,  after  touching  at  Tutukurin,  and  preaching  to  the 
Dutch  there  on  St.  Mark  viii.  86,  he  went  to  Palamcotta; 
staid  there  three  weeks,  preached  twice,  sometimes  three 
times  a  day;  explained  the  principal  doctrines  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  administered  the  sacrament  to  eighty  persons. 
He  found  the  state  of  this  new  congregation  in  many 
respects  to  his  satisfaction,  while  in  others,  he  frankly 
acknowledged,  it  occasioned  him  concern.  "  But  this," 
he  justly  observes,  "  is  no  more  than  what  are  usually 
united  together,  wheat  and  chaff." 

It  was  during  this  journey  that  he  addressed  the  fol- 
lowing interesting  and  instructive  letter  to  an  intimate 
friend  and  connection  of  Mr.  Chambers,  then  in  the  civil 
service  of  Bengal,  and  distinguished  during  a  long  and 
honorable  life  in  India  and  in  England,  not  less  by  his 
eminent  talents  and  acquirements  as  a  leading  member  of 
the  East  Indian  government,  than  by  his  elevated  and 
consistent  character  as  a  Christian.*  It  appears  that  he 
was  at  this  time  just  entering  upon  a  religious  course; 
and  nothing  could  be  better  calculated  to  confirm  and 
encourage  him  than  this  admirable  letter. 

"  Ramanadapuram,  July  20,  1785. 

"Dear  Sir, — Your  very  kind  letter  I  received  two 
months  ago,  and  should  have  answered  it  sooner,  had  not 
some  circumstances  prevented  it. 

"  Your  first  awakening  was  a  most  agreeable  and 
heart-reviving  transaction  of  divine  Providence.     So  kind 

*  Probably  the  late  Hon.  Charles  Grant, — Am.  Ed. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  251 

is  God,  even  when  he  chastiseth.  I  believe  there  are  very 
few  in  heaven,  but  owe  their  conversion  or  their  contin- 
uance in  that  state  to  some  stroke  or  other.  Blessed  be 
God  for  all  his  mercies  which  he  has  bestowed  on  us ! 
Nay,  throughout  all  eternity  we  shall  praise  him  for  all 
the  wonders  he  has  done  towards  us. 

"  Even  in  respect  of  temporal  affairs,  your  conversion 
has  been,  as  I  observe,  beneficial  to  you  ;  and  so  would 
every  one  experience  it,  if  the  trial  were  fairly  made. 
How  much  is  squandered  away  in  what  is  called  fash- 
ionable living,  to  no  purpose,  or  rather  to  the  worst ! 
Health,  strength,  conscience,  and  the  sweetest  sense  of 
the  favor  of  God  are  lost — for  what  ?  Though  we  are  not 
to  serve  God  for  the  sake  of  temporal  advantages,  we  shall 
find  that  true  unfeigned  *  godliness  is  profitable  unto  all 
things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that 
which  is  to  come.'  The  people  of  the  world  lose  both. 
Their  tumultuous  mirth  does  not  deserve  the  name  of  joy, 
and  is  always  closely  attended  and  embittered  by  unspeak- 
able disquietude  and  anxiety,  which  they  must  feel  as  soon 
as  they  begin  to  reflect.  May  God  strengthen  and  con- 
firm you  by  his  blessed  Spirit,  that  the  good  work  which 
he  has  begun  in  you,  may  be  carried  on  uninterruptedly, 
till  you  can  say  at  last,  '  It  is  done, — Father,  into  thy 
hands  I  commend  my  spirit,'  and  so  *  enter  into  the  joy  of 
your  Lord.' 

"Let  us  daily  grow  more  and  more  fervent  in  prayer. 
With  prayer  we  begin  to  be  Christians.  By  prayer  we 
grow  stronger,  and  continue  in  the  narrow  road,  and  at 
last,  pra)ing,  we  end  our  course. 

"  All  that  we  are  to  pray  for,  we  find  in  that  excellent 
prayer  taught  us  by  our  Lord,  in  which  Christianity  is 
regularly  delineated  or  explained,  just  as  it  ought  to  be 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end. 

"  In  the  first  petition  we  in  fact  entreat  God  to  turn 
away  our  hearts  from  all  vain  names,  (call  them  honor, 
riches,  pleasure,  or  what  else  you  please,)  because  they 
all  together  cannot  make  us  happy.  To  look  upon  them 
as  the  source  of  our  happiness  is  idolatry.  We  entreat 
God  to  enlighten  our  hearts,  so  that  we  may  know,  esteem, 
venerate,  fear,  love,  and  praise  his  name.  This  is  the 
truest  beginning  of  our  conversion,  when  all  things  and 
their  names  become  little,  and  the  glorious  name  of  God 
becomes  great  and  venerable  to  us. 


252  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  The  second  blessing  which  we  need  is  the  kingdom 
of  God,  as  it  is  restored  to  us  by  Jesus  Christ,  containing 
'righteousness'  to  cover  all  our  sins;  '  peace,'  or  a  sense 
of  the  favor  of  God,  who  is  now  our  Father,  and  we  his 
children;  and  'joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.'  'Thy  kingdom, 
O  Father,  come,'  that  we  may  be  no  longer  separated 
from  thee,  as  we  deserved,  but  that  we  may  be  reunited 
unto  thee,  that  there  may  be  a  happy  union  between  thee 
and  us,  as  there  is  between  a  kind  prince  and  obedient 
subjects.  And  is  not  this  true  faith  in  Jesus,  which  places 
us  again  in  the  kingdom  of  God  our  Father  1 

"  Being  turned  to  God  and  his  name,  and  being  made 
the  children  of  the  kingdom  of  God  by  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ,  we  crave  the  third  blessing,  namely,  filial  obedi- 
ence. Having  received  the  two  former  blessings,  we  are 
now  willing,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  God  strengthened,  to 
renounce  and  to  overcome  our  own  will,  (that  stubborn 
thing,)  the  will  of  the  world,  though  never  so  fashionable, 
and  the  will  of  the  devil.  We  now  learn  daily  that 
most  difficult  but  salutary  lesson, — '  Not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done.' 

"  Having  thus  obtained  mercy,  we  are  regenerated  and 
born  again.  What  do  we  need  more  ?  Having  begun 
well  by  the  grace  of  God,  let  us  be  '  strong  in  the  Lord  ;' 
let  us  take  care  not  to  fall  back,  but  to  be  constant. 
To  this  purpose  our  compassionate  Saviour  has  taught 
us  to  pray, 

"  1.  For  our  daily  bread — to  moderate  our  desires  after 
the  things  of  this  world.  Godliness  and  contentment 
must  go  together.  A  very  strict  discipline  is  necessary 
lest  the  cares  of  this  world  enter  in  again,  and  choke  the 
good  seed. 

"2.  Though  we  have  reason  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
and  in  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  all  his  mercies, 
yet  we  have  little  or  no  reason  at  all  to  boast  and  to  be 
proud.  Therefore  he  has  directed  us  to  come  daily  be- 
fore the  throne  of  grace,  deeply  humbling  ourselves  on 
account  of  our  daily  faults,  and  praying,  '  Forgive  us  our 
trespasses.'  We  confess  and  bewail  them,  and  crave 
pardon.     This  humility  must  remain  in  us  daily. 

"3.  Being  turned  to  the  name  of  God  ;  being  received 
as  his  children  for  the  sake  of  Jesus ;  being  willing  to 
obey  the  will  of  God,  wc  are  happy,  and  free  from  all 


■   THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  253 

condemnation.  But  as  long  as  we  sojourn  here  in  the 
world,  we  are  not  free  from  trials.  J^et  us,  therefore, 
daily  watch  and  pray  lest  we  enter  and  sink  into  tempta- 
tion. Let  us  entreat  God  not  to  forsake  but  strengthen 
us  ;  that  we  may,  by  his  grace,  be  able  to  overcome  all 
temptations. 

"4.  Being  united  to  Christ,  and  consequently  being  the 
children  of  God,  we  are  happy  ;  but  this  happiness, 
though  very  great,  is  not  yet  complete.  Here  is  a  mi.xture. 
Here  are  knowledge  and  ignorance,  holiness  and  many 
faults,  peace  and  uneasiness,  health  and  sickness,  joy  and 
grief,  together.  But  we  are  to  receive  a  complete  happi- 
ness. In  the  midst  of  all  calamities  and  tribulations, 
be  hope  our  cordial !  Let  us  daily  come  before  the  throne 
of  mercy,  entreating  God  to  deliver  us  entirely  from  all 
ignorance,  from  all  sin,  from  all  pain  and  grief;  and  to 
receive  us  into  his  glorious  kingdom,  where  we  shall 
weep  no  more — where  we  shall  rejoice  for  ever  and  ever  ; 
where  our  prayers  and  supplications  shall  be  turned  into 
thanksgivings.     This  hope,  if  lively,  will  refresh  us. 

"  There,  my  dear  Mr.  I  hope   to  see   you,  and  to 

sing  with  you  the  song  of  the  Lamb.  There  we  will 
relate  one  to  another  all  the  wonders  of  mercy  which 
Jesus  has  wrought  towards  our  restoration. 

"Be  this  our  aim — and  may  our  hearts  (ah,  our  slippery 
hearts  !)  never  swerve  from  the  path  to  that  heavenly 
Canaan  !  May  we  never  murmur  or  lust  after  the  things 
which  we  have  once  renounced  !  May  we  be  faithful 
unto  death,  and  so  receive  the  crown  of  life  !  Remember 
me  likewise,  when  you  come  before  the  throne  of  mercy, 
that  my  approaching  age  may  not  be  unfruitful,  but 
blessed. 

"  You  and  your  family  are  dear  to  me,  because  clothed 
and  adorned  with  the  righteousness  of  Jesus.  Peace  be 
to  you,  and  to  all  that  live  with  you.  May  they  all  find 
mercy  on  that  great  day.  May  they  all  be  numbered  with 
those  that  shall  stand  at  the  right  hand  of  our  God  ! 

"  I  am  at  present  at  Ramanad  in  the  Marawar  country, 
where  I  intend  to  erect  an  English  school.  All  seems 
to  be  ready.  Next  Monday  we  hope  to  make  the  begin- 
ning. May  God  bless  it !  Our  intention  is  to  have  such 
schools  in  several  provinces,  if  God  grant  peace  to  this 
country.  The  harvest  is  great,  but  few  are  the  laborers. 
23 


254  MEMOIRS  OF 

"Well,  let  us  pray  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest.  If  amongst 
Europeans  there  was  any  real  piety,  what  hlessing  would 
come  over  the  whole  country  !  But  they  refuse  to  go 
into  God's  vineyard — may  God  awaken  them  ! 

"  The  kind  charity  which  you  intended  for  the  relief 
of  the  poor  shall  be  faithfully  applied.  In  their  name 
I  thank  you.  I  have  inclosed  a  few  lines  to  my  old  and 
sincere  friend,  Mr.  Obeck.  He  lived  once  in  one  of  my 
chambers,*  I  loved  him  much,  and  shall  love  him  till 
we  see  one  another  in  a  world  free  from  sin  and  grief." 

The  sober,  scriptural,  yet  elevated  piety,  and  the  gen- 
uine Christian  affection  which  breathe  throughout  the 
preceding  letter,  display  the  character  of  Swartz  in  a 
most  favorable  point  of  view,  and  sufficiently  reveal  the 
sources  of  his  extraordinary  influence  and  usefulness  in 
India.  Any  thing  more  truly  apostolic  can  scarcely  be 
imagined.  The  following  letter,  written  shortly  after- 
wards to  a  gentleman  whom  he  was  anxious  to  persuade 
to  adopt  religious  habits,  equally  discovers  his  wisdom 
and  faithfulness  as  a  Christian  monitor. 

"  Tanjore,  Sept.  28, 1785. 
"  Dear  Sir, — I  am  happy  to  hear  that  you  will  not  come 
by  yourself.  You  know  the  usual  consequences  attending 
a  bachelor's  life.  But  being  now  in  a  lawful  state,  insti- 
tuted by  God  himself,  take  care  lest  that  state  prove  a 
snare.  In  itself  it  is  lawful,  and  ordained  by  God  for 
wise  reasons.  But  you  know  that  Adam  resembled  his 
Maker  before  he  entered  into  that  state.  The  husband 
must  be  filled  with  knowledge,  wisdom,  holiness,  and  all 
other  divine  graces  :  then  will  he  be  able  to  govern 
his  family  wisely  to  the  glory  of  God.  In  such  a  gay 
place  as  Madras,  where  daily  dissipations  run  away  with 
all  time  and  strength,  it  is  doubly  necessary  to  be  upon 
your  guard.  Never  forget  to  keep  up  family  prayer  in 
your  house  ;  make  it  a  house  of  God,  and  it  will  be  dis- 
tinguished by  divine  blessings. 


*  This  circumstance  is  allndod  to  by  Dr.  Buchanan,  in  a  letter  to 
a  friend,  with  the  intorostinsr  addition  that  he  often  concealed  from 
that  good  man  "  his  favored  seasons  from  on  high." — Memoirs,  vol. 
i.  p.  274. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  255 

"  At  present  people  read  all  sorts  of  novels  and  other 
trash.  If  yoa  wish  to  be  happy,  and  to  act  wisely,  I 
entreat  you  read  your  biblk  with  your  consort.  You 
will  soon  find  the  greatest  advantage  resulting  from  it. 

"  Make  my  best  respects  to  Mrs. ,  and  tell  her  that 

I  heartily  wish  she  may  be  like  Sarah,  Abraham's  wife  ; 
like  Hannah,  Samuel's  mother ;  and  like  those  excellent 
females,  who  were  not  ashamed  to  follow  Jesus,  even 
when  he  was  crucified.  My  best  wishes  attend  you  and 
your  family." 

During  his  stay  at  Ramanadapuram,  Swartz  had  an 
interview  with  the  reigning  prince,  and  met  with  a  very 
kind  reception.  But  on  his  return,  he  found  all  in  terror 
and  alarm,  in  consequence  of  a  change  of  government. 
The  nabob  was  about  to  repossess  himself  of  that  province, 
notwithstanding  that  during  the  late  war  he  had  invested 
the  present  prince  as  the  rightful  heir,  and  had  caused 
him  to  be  proclaimed  sovereign  of  the  country.  Swartz 
laments  in  his  letter  to  Mr.  Pasche  that  such  faithless 
and  perfidious  proceedings,  which  had  nearly  ruined  the 
country,  were  still  continued,  and  observes  that  this 
change  might  extend  its  influence  to  the  new  institution 
of  the  English  provincial  schools  ;  so  that  he  doubted 
whether  they  would  receive  proper  support,  or  be  aban- 
doned. 

In  his  annual  letter  to  the  Society,  dated  froin  Trichi- 
nopoly,  January  IG,  1786,  Swartz  gratefully  acknowledges 
the  perfect  health  which  he  and  his  fellow-laborers  had 
enjoyed  during  the  preceding  year,  and  the  uninterrupted 
performance  of  their  important  duties.  He  had  come  to 
Trichinopoly  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  with  his  friend 
and  brother,  Mr.  Pohle,  upon  points  relating  to  the  mis- 
sion, and  of  visiting  the  congregation  and  schools.  At 
this  time,  he  informs  the  Society,  that  besides  his  young 
friend  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  who  was  his  willing  assistant,  and 
whom  he  intimated  his  wish  of  seeing  established  as  his 
colleague,  he  maintained  three  catechists  and  one  school- 
master at  Tanjore,  one  catechist  at  Trippatore,  and  three 
at  Palamcotta.  The  Tamul  school  at  Tanjore  then  con- 
sisted of  twenty-two  children,  who  were  daily  instructed 
in  Christian  principles,  in  reading,  writing,  and  arith- 
metic, and  some  of  them,  at  their  own  request,  in  the 


256  MEMOIRS  OF 

English  language.  Of  the  English  school,  Mr.  KohlhofF 
and  his  brother,  and  a  young  native,  had  the  care.  In  this 
there  were  generally  about  forty  boys  and  girls.  Besides 
learning  the  English,  they  were  exercised  also  in  the 
Persian  and  Tamul  languages.  IMost  of  tliese  children 
being  the  offspring  of  soldiers,  being  poor,  were  educated 
gratis. 

"  In  some  of  my  last  letters,"  he  observes,  "  I  have 
mentioned  that  an  English  school  was  established  in  Ra- 
manadapuram,  and  that  another  has  been  proposed  at 
Shevagenga.  We  even  entertained  lively  hopes  of  seeing 
more  of  these  schools  in  other  places.  But  when  the 
country  was  restored  to  the  nabob,  these  pleasing  expecta- 
tions nearly  vanished.  The  old  system,  of  oppression, 
was  resumed,  and  the  country  princes  began  to  tremble. 
It  does  not  belong  to  me,"  he  modestly  adds,  "  to  write  of 
politics ;  neither  would  I  have  mentioned  the  subject,  had 
it  not  been  so  closely  connected  with  the  schools." 

The  congregation  at  Palamcotta  had  increased  ;  and 
Swartz  had  lately  sent  there  his  catechist,  Sattianaden, 
who  had  for  many  years  sustained  the  character  of  a  sin- 
cere Christian  and  an  able  teacher.  The  congregation 
was  visited  every  year  by  one  of  the  country  priests  from 
Tranquebar  for  the  administration  of  the  sacraments. 

While  thankfully  acknowledging  the  past  kindness  of 
the  Society,  he  is  urgent,  both  in  this  and  a  subsequent 
letter,  for  a  fresh  supply  of  books,  not  only  for  the  native 
congregations  and  schools,  but  also  for  the  soldiers  in  the 
garrison,  many  of  whom  were  anxious  for  instruction  ;  a 
request  with  which  the  Society,  knowing  how  judiciously 
they  would  be  distributed,  cheerfully  complied. 

While  thus' adverting  to  the  various  charitable  labors  of 
this  excellent  man,  it  may  not  be  irrelevant  to  observe, 
that  for  a  considerable  space  of  time,  during  the  late  war, 
he  forbore,  on  account  of  the  public  distress,  to  draw  the 
pay  which  was  due  to  him  as  chaplain  to  the  garrison. 
Mr.  Hudleston,  in  communicating  this  circumstance  to 
the  government,  observes,  "  Mr.  Swartz  makes  no  other 
use  of  money  than  to  appropriate  it  to  the  purposes  of 
charity  and  benevolence." 

During  his  short  stay  at  Trichinopoly,  he  wrote  the 
following  letter  to  Mrs.  Duffin ;  the  principal  topic  of 
which  proves  how  well  he  could  avail  himself  of  incidental 
circumstances  to  illustrate  and  enforce  religious  truth. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  257 

"Trichinopoly,  January  19,  1786. 

"  Dear  Madam, — A  few  days  ago  I  came  hither  to  visit 
my  friend  Mr.  Pohle.  One  afternoon  I  went  with  him  to 
Warriore,  to  see  your  house  and  garden,  where  we  have 
spent  many  a  Saturday  in  a  very  agreeable  manner.  Com- 
ing near  your  house,  Mr.  Pohle  put  me  in  mind  of  my 
shameful  neglect.  '  You  have  not,'  said  he,  '  written  a 
line  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duffin  for  above  a  year.'  Hearing 
the  number  of  months,  for  he  counted  them,  I  was  truly 
struck  with  confusion.  Though  1  have  but  few  hours  to 
spare,  still  I  might  have  written  some  few  lines.  Well, 
pardon  this  neglect  kindly.  I  have  not  written,  but  I 
have  remembered  you  very  often,  wishing,  to  spend  some 
hours  with  you.  I  was  very  glad  when  your  schoolmaster 
informed  me,  that  Mr.  Gericke  had  paid  you  a  visit,  for 
he  is  a  sincere  Christian,  whom  I  have  always  much  es- 
teemed. 

"  When  I  came  here,  I  thought  to  rejoice  with  Mr. 
Pohle  ;  but  we  soon  experienced  grief  instead  of  joy.  A 
battalion  mutinied  ;  went  u|)on  the  rock,  and  threatened 
destruction,  if  they  should  not  get  their  pay.  These  poor 
people  had  received  none  since  August;  consequently 
five  months'  pay  was  due  to  them,  besides  former  arrears. 
It  is  truly  melancholy  to  observe  that  nothing  but  fear  will 
incline  us  to  do  justice  to  them.  By  these  means  all  dis- 
cipline is  relaxed,  the  officers  lose  that  respect  which  is 
due  to  their  rank  and  station,  and  the  sepoys  become  inso- 
lent. This  has  been  the  case,  not  only  in  war,  but  now 
in  the  time  of  peace.  May  God  help  us  to  consider  the 
things  which  belong  to  our  peace  in  all  respects  ! 

"  In  the  world  we  have  tribulation.  'J'his  has  been 
from  the  time  mankind  fell  into  sin,  and  will  be  so,  till 
we  enter  into  the  peaceful  mansions  of  the  saints  and 
angels  in  eternity.  Having,  then,  little  or  no  peace  in 
the  world,  let  us  take  care  to  have,  maintain,  and  enjoy 
peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  What  an  immense  blessing  is  it  to  have  peace  with 
God  !  When  we  reflect  on  our  miserable  hearts,  so  prone 
to  sin  and  iniquity,  we  might  think  that  it  was  altogether 
impossible  to  possess  that  inestimable  treasure.  And  no 
doubt,  if  it  depended  on  our  perfect  obedience,  we  could 
not  entertain  a  thought  of  enjoying  it.  But  blessed  be 
22* 


258  MEMOIRS  OF 

God,  our  peace  and  happiness  stand  on  a  better  basis  than 
that  of  our  own  merit. 

"  It  is  Jesus,  the  blessed  Redeemer,  who  has  made  an 
atonement,  a  perfect  atonement  for  our  sins,  and  thereby 
laid  the  foundation  for  a  complete  reconciliation  between 
us  and  God.  Without  this  divine  atonement  we  could 
not  expect  pardon  and  peace.  God  would  not  be  to  us  a 
God  of  grace,  but  rather  '  a  consuming  fire.'  What  praises, 
then,  are  due  to  Jesus,  the  purchaser  of  our  peace  and 
happiness!  The  nearer  we  keep  to  him,  the  more  we 
enjoy  of  that  peace.  The  more  we  trust  in  ourselves,  so 
much  the  more  we  shall  be  perplexed.  Nothing  keeps 
and  preserves  our  minds  so  much  as  this  peace.  The 
thunder  of  the  law  may  frighten,  but  it  will  never  com- 
pose or  strengthen  our  minds  to  obey  God  cheerfully. 

"  Let  OS,  then,  daily  look  out  for  pardon  and  peace  ; 
watching  at  the  same  time  that  we  may  follow  its  guidance 
— that  so  our  reason,  our  will,  and  all  our  passions  (aye, 
and  our  external  senses  too,)  may  be  preserved  in  subjec- 
tion, obedience,  and  the  path  of  holiness. 

"  Remember  me  to  Mr.  Duffin,  our  beloved  friend. 
Mr.  Pohle  tells  me  that  he  has  written  to  you,  inclosing  a 
Portuguese  calendar. 

"  May,  then,  the  peace  of  God,  in  this  year,  and  as 
we  live,  cheer,  guide,  and  strengthen  us  all ! 

"  I  am  always,  dear  Madam,  your  faithful  friend  and 
servant. " 

In  his  next  letter  to  the  same  highly  esteemed  corres- 
pondent, Mr.  Swartz  took  occasion  to  communicate  his 
view  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  ;  which  from  his  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  eminently 
devout  habits,  well  deserves  the  most  serious  attention. 

"  Tanjore,  March  26,  1786. 

"Dear  Madam, — Your  kind  letter  I  received  yesterday, 
and  as  my  heart  is  warm,  and  cheered  by  the  good  news 
you  have  sent  me,  I  will  by  no  means  delay  to  answer  it. 

"  I  rejoice  with  you,  that  it  has  pleased  God  to  make 
your  Sabbaths  more  satisfactory  to  you.  Formerly  you 
got  now  and  then  some  showers  of  the  divine  benediction. 
Now  you  will  enjoy  it  every  Sunday. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you,  that  the  institution  of  the  Sabbath 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  259 

is  altogether  divine,  and  therefore  holy  and  beneficial.  It 
is  a  cheering  proof  of  God's  kindness  to  us.  It  was  in- 
stituted before  the  fall,  to  preserve  Adam  and  Eve  in  their 
wisdom,  holiness,  and  justice — consequently  to  confirm 
them  in  that  divine  likeness,  which  God  had  granted 
them.  By  this  you  plainly  perceive,  that  his  intention 
was  to  preserve  them  in  their  purity  and  happiness.  Adam 
was  the  teacher,  Eve  the  disciple — both  adored  God  every 
day,  but  particularly  on  the  Sabbath.     Happy  couple  ! 

"  Was  the  celebration  of  the  Sabbath  necessary  before 
the  fall,  how  much  more  noto  after  it,  to  awaken  the  mind 
to  a  lively  knowledge  of  God,  to  increase  in  knowledge, 
faith,  love,  and  hope  of  everlasting  life  !  No  doubt  we 
are  to  attend  to  all  this  every  day  ;  but  particularly  to  set 
our  mind  to  it  on  every  Sabbath  day. 

"On  that  day  we  are  to  exclude  worldly  thoughts  as 
much  as  possible,  even  those  that  are  allowable  on  other 
days.  The  works  of  creation,  redemption,  and  sanctifica- 
tion,  ought  to  be  our  chief  meditation.  Likewise  ought 
we  also  to  exclude  all  worldly  conversation,  even  that 
which  is  allowable  on  other  days.  It  should  turn  upon 
the  word  and  works  of  God.  Prayer  and  edifying  con- 
verse should  be  maintained  on  that  day.  Moreover, 
worldly  actions  (except  those  of  necessity  and  mercy) 
should  be  excluded.  To  frequent  the  congregation  of 
Christians  should  be  a  delight  to  us. 

•'  Then  may  we  expect  a  blessing  from  God.  Moses 
uses  those  two  words,  '  God  sanctified'  that  day,  that  is,* 
he  appointed  it  to  mankind  to  become  holy,  or  persevere 
in  holiness,  and  blessed  it,  that  is,  he  appointed  it  as  a 
day  of  blessing,  to  make  them  partakers  of  the  best  bles- 
sings— pardon  of  sin,  peace  of  mind,  and  hope  of  future 
glory. 

"Was  this  God's  intention  in  instituting  that  day? 
Then  may  we  well  sit  down  and  weep  over  ourselves  and 
our  fellow-creatures.  How  is  this  day  profaned  !  Alas! 
alas ! 

"  Some  say,  '  We  can  serve  God  in  our  closet.'  No 
doubt  we  can,  and  ought  to  do  it.  But  this  ought  not  to 
be  an  hinderance  to  our  frequenting  the  public  congre- 

*  Bishop  Horsley's  Exposition  of  these  emphatic  words  is  precisely 
timilar  to  this  of  the  venerable  missionary. — Sermons,  vol.  ii.  p.  216. 


260  MEMOIRS   OF 

gation.  No  sincere  Christian  will  ever  speak  so.  That 
excellent  man,  Lord  Chief  Justice  Hale,  in  England,  con- 
fessed that  he  had  received  particular  blessings  by  attend- 
ing public  worship.  Every  Christian  will  confess  the 
same.  Nay,  we  are  to  look  to  others,  particularly  young 
people,  to  allure  them  to  the  adoration  of  God. 

"  May  a  gracious  God  bless  your  congregation!  May 
he  fill  it  with  his  glory,  as  often  as  you  come  together ! 
My  beloved  friends,  Mr.  Toriano,  and  Mr.  Duffin,  will 
receive  a  blessing  from  the  Lord.  Take  care,  my  friends, 
not  to  do  any  thing  by  which  your  Christian  work,  which 
you  perform  on  the  Sabbath  day,  may  become  less  es- 
teemed. The  vow  of  the  Lord  is  upon  you,  and  the  world 
will  look  critically  upon  you. 

"  My  spirit  is  with  you,  though  I  am  afraid  that  my  old 
body  will  hardly  be  there. 

"  My  young  friend  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  joins  with  me  in  his 
wishes  for  the  prosperity  of  your  Zion.  Mr.  Toriano  will 
look  upon  this  as  written  to  him.  God  bless  you  and 
yours.     Amen!" 

Within  a  few  days  of  the  date  of  the  preceding  letter, 
the  pious  missionary  addressed  a  second  to  the  distin- 
guished relative  of  Mr.  Chambers,  already  mentioned, 
which,  like  the  first,  abounds  with  the  richest  Christian 
wisdom  and  consolation. 

"  Tanjore,  March  29,  1786. 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  10th  of 
October,  and  wonder  that  it  did  not  reach  me  sooner.  I 
have  perused  the  account,  which  you  have  kindly  given 
me,  more  than  once,  and  shall  read  it  again.  Even  your 
complaints  are  precious  to  me,  as  they  are  a  proof  that 
you  feel  your  want,  or  your  poverty ;  and  you  know  that 
our  Saviour  has  declared  such  to  be  blessed. 

"  When  I  have  reflected  upon  my  own  deviations,  (and 
they  have  been  numerous,  nay,  innumerable,)  I  have  had 
reason  to  attribute  them  to  some  secret  pride.  We  con- 
fess, no  doubt,  that  we  are  poor ;  that  we  have  lost  the 
glory  of  wisdom,  holiness,  and  righteousness.  Our  con- 
fession is  very  orthodox ;  but,  alas!  our  thoughts,  wishes, 
aims,  and  whole  conduct,  are  proofs  that  our  confession  is 
too  often  undermined. 


THE  REV.   C.  F.  SWARTZ.  261 

"As  true  religion  endeavors  to  humble  us  and  exalt 
God;  and  as  this  is  absolutely  necessary  to  our  real 
welfare;  we  plainly  perceive  that  God,  in  all  his  trans- 
actions with  us,  aims  at  this  double  point,  viz.  that  we 
may  be,  what  we  really  are,  mere  nothings;  that  He  may 
be  acknowledged  as  the  only  source  of  grace,  strength, 
and  happiness. 

"  When  I  read  yiiir  letter,  I  think  I  am  reading  the  his- 
tory of  my  own  life.  Our  want  of  poverty  of  spirit,  makes 
us  put  our  confidence  in  our  own  (imagined)  merit:  at 
other  times  it  makes  us  indolent  in  prayer — sometimes 
presumptuous  in  venturing  where  we  ought  to  be  careful 
and  vigilant.  In  short,  it  hinders  us  in  faith,  love,  and 
hope. 

"  This,  I  am  sure,  every  saint  now  in  heaven  will  tell 
you  hereafter,  that  our  pride  is  our  greatest  enemy.  Nay, 
sometimes  we  attempt  to  bring  it  down  furiously  :  and 
even  this  is  a  specimen  of  our  pride. 

"  The  best,  the  surest  way,  therefore,  is  to  look  up  to 
Jesus,  and  to  cry  to  him,  Help  me,  grant  me  that  true 
poverty  of  spirit  which  I  need. 

"I  remember  to  have  read  the  story  of  a  pious  man 
complaining  of  his  unsettled  mind.  The  old  Christian, 
to  whom  he  discovered  his  whole  mind,  answered  him  in 
the  following  manner  :  '  I  perceive,  Sir,  that  you  do  not 
pray.*  The  mourning  Christian  replied,  'Not  pray?  I 
fall  on  my  knees  oftentimes  a  day.'  The  old  man  said, 
*I  do  not  doubt  that:  but  still  I  say,  you  do  not  pray;  I 
mean,  you  do  not  converse  with  God  and  your  Redeemer 
so  intimately,  so  freely,  so  often,  as  if  you  and  He  were 
alone  on  earth.  To  converse  so  with  God,  in  the  midst 
of  all  our  business,  we  need  not  be  always  on  our  knees.' 

"In  the  same  manner  a  friend  once  asked  Mr.  Francke 
(who  built  the  famous  Orphan  House  at  Halle)  how  it 
came  to  pass,  that  he  maintained  so  constant  a  peace  of 
mind.  Mr.  Francke  replied,  'By  stirring  up  my  mind  a 
hundred  times  a  day!  Wherever  I  am,  whatever  I  do,  I 
say,  Blessed  Jesus,  have  I  truly  a  share  in  thy  redemp- 
tion? Are  my  sins  forgiven?  Am  I  guided  by  thy  Spirit? 
Thine  I  am.  Wash  me  again  and  again.  Strengthen 
me,  &LC.  &c.  By  this  constant  converse  with  Jesus,  I 
have  enjoyed  serenity  of  mind,  and  a  settled  peace  in  my 
soul.' 


262  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  Throw  yourself  upon  Him,  dear  Sir,  upon  his  mercy, 
atonement,  grace,  and  Spirit.  Do  not  look  constantly 
upon  your  faults  only.  The  sense  of  the  love  of  God, 
and  of  Jesus,  some  true  experience  of  ease,  peace  of 
mind,  and  a  well-grounded  hope  of  a  blessed  eternity :  all 
this,  in  some  degree  enjoyed,  will  give  you  more  strength 
to  deny  the  world,  and  the  lusts  of  it,  to  take  up  the  cross, 
and  to  follow  Christ,  than  all  the  thunders  of  the  law. 
But  as  all  this  is  not  granted  absolutely,  but  in  the  way  of 
humble  dependence  upon  God,  therefore  not  only  pray, 
but  loatch  earnestly,  that  you  may  not  lose  by  dissipation, 
what  you  have  obtained  in  the  way  of  begging. 

"  Your  whole  letter  is  a  clear  evidence,  that  you  hunger 
and  thirst  after  righteousness ;  which  by  nature  you  have 
not,  but  which  is  purchased  for  you  by  your  atoning  High 
Priest.  The  promise  which  is  given  to  such  is  quite 
animating;  viz.  'They  shall  be  filled,  and  satisfied;  they 
shall  not  be  left  in  a  painful  hunger  and  thirst.' 

"  This  promise,  be  assured,  Jesus  will  make  good.  It 
is,  as  if  he  said  to  you :  You  shall  be  filled.  Wait  hum- 
bly his  hour.  Knock  at  his  door  confidently.  Entreat 
him  to  fulfil  his  promise  :  do  it  again  and  again.  You 
will  soon  find  that  he  is  faithful ;  and  so,  instead  of  la- 
menting your  dejected  condition,  you  will  rejoice  in  the 
God  of  your  salvation. 

"Then  the  former  experience  of  darkness,  and  uncom- 
fortable hours,  will  be  of  great  advantage.  You  will  take 
care  not  to  lose  your  roll,  as  Mr.  Bunyan's  pilgrim  says. 

"I  shall  not  wait  for  your  answer;  but  now  and  then 
send  you  a  line  as  I  have  leisure. 

"  Pray  for  us.  We  shall  remember  you  and  your 
family  likewise.     Peace  be  to  you  !  " 

The  venerable  missionary  probably  fulfilled  his  promise 
of  occasionally  writing  to  his  eminent  correspondent.  The 
two  letters  which  have  been  introduced  are,  however,  all 

that  remain  ;  and  after  a  few  years,  Mr. returned  to 

this  country.  As  Swarlz  rightly  concluded,  the  religious 
impressions  which  he  had  received,  were  deep  and  per- 
manent, and  productive  of  the  fruits  of  a  truly  Christian 
course.  These  excellent  men  were  personally  strangers, 
having  never  met  in  India;  and  both  have  long  since 
entered  into  rest :  but  in  that  higher  world  to  which  they 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  268 

aspired  upon  earth,  and  to  which  the  Saviour,  whom  they 
loved  and  served,  surely  conducted  them,  they  have, 
doubtless,  renewed  and  perfected  their  friendship,  and  are 
recounting,  to  adopt  the  language  of  one  of  them,  "  the 
wonders  of  mercy,"  by  which  they  have  been  made  par- 
takers of  "  the  joy  of  their  Lord." 

To  Mrs.  Chambers,  Svvartz  next  wrote  as  follows  : — • 

"  Tanjore,  April  5,  178C. 

"  Dear  Madam, — Your  kind  letter  I  have  received,  and 
made  a  proper  use  of  it,  by  acquainting  Mrs.  Wood  of  the 
payment  of  a  large  sum.  Here  I  have  exerted  myself 
much,  by  entreating  the  rajah  to  pay  off  the  12,000  pa- 
godas which  he  owed  to  the  late  Colonel.  But  though  I 
do  not  despair,  I  find  it  very  difficult  to  get  any  thing  from 
these  people. 

"The  account  which  you  have  given  me  of  your  own 
condition  has  rejoiced  me  very  much.  No  doubt,  madam, 
all  the  world,  its  riches  and  pleasures,  cannot  satisfy  the 
sinner,  who  feels  his  need  of  a  perfect  righteousness;  and 
at  the  same  time  is  fully  convinced  that  such  an  immense 
treasure  is  not  to  be  found  in  himself 

"  How  should  we,  therefore,  rejoice  at  the  comfortable 
declaration  of  the  gospel — nay,  invitation,  to  come  and 
buy  bread  '  without  money  and  without  price.'  Freely  it 
has  been  purchased,  freely  offered,  and  freely  given,  in 
the  way  of  repentance  and  faith  in  Jesus.  Considering 
our  own  hearts,  and  the  sinful  workings  of  them,  we  must 
needs  despair  of  getting  proper  food  for  our  souls,  if  it 
depended  upon  our  own  works.  But  we  know  that  not 
our  works,  but  the  work  of  Christ,  that  great  and  divine 
work  of  atonement,  has  purchased  all  needful  blessings 
for  us. 

"  How  happy  arc  you,  madam,  that,  in  conjunction 
with  your  dear  husband,  you  have  chosen  Christ ;  that 
you  look  upon  all  things  of  the  world  as  dross  in  compar- 
ison with  the  excellent  knowledge  of  Jesus  ;  that  you 
■wish  to  win  him  as  your  treasure ;  for,  having  him,  you 
have  God  and  his  favor — nay,  eternal  life.  To  be  found 
in  him  at  all  times,  in  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  sickness 
and  health,  in  life,  death,  and  eternity — being  in  him,  we 
are  secured  from  all  that  can  hurt  us. 


264  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  Let  us,  then,  watch  nnd  pray,  that  this  new  disposition 
of  mind  may  not  be  diminished  or  destroyed. 

"  May  God  grant  you  both  abundant  grace  and  strength 
to  shine  as  liglits  in  the  midst  of  a  perverse  generation  ! 
God  bless  you  both  ! 

"P.  S. — Knowing  that  Mr.  Chambers  has  a  great  deal 
to  do,  I  do  not  insist  upon  his  writing,  though  he  is  always 
willing  to  do  so.  But  be  pleased  to  tell  iinn,  that  if  the 
Oriental  Magazine  contains  any  thing  useful,  he  may  be 
so  kind  as  to  send  it  to  me  ;  if  otherwise,  I  do  not  wish  it." 

In  his  retrospect  of  the  year  1786,  Swartz  assures  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  that  their 
labors  in  behalf  of  India  had  not  been  in  vain.  The 
missionaries  and  teachers  of  the  natives  at  the  various 
stations  had  been  preserved  and  prospered.  lie  partic- 
ularly notices  the  diligence  and  success  of  the  pious 
catechist,  Sattianaden,  at  Palamcotta,  and  speaks  with- 
much  pleasure  of  the  soldiers  in  the  garrison  at  Tanjore, 
who  attended  divine  service  both  on  Sundays  and  at  the 
weekly  evening  lectures,  which  were  frequented  by  great 
numbers.  "  To  this,"  he  says,  "  they  are  encouraged  by 
the  officers,  who  all  confess  that  corporal  punishments  had 
ceased  from  the  time  that  the  regiment  began  to  relish 
religious  instruction." 

Peace  had  been  restored  to  India  ;  but  the  territory  of 
Tanjore  was  still  in  a  deplorable  condition.  The  calam- 
ities consequent  upon  the  unjust  assumption  of  that  prov- 
ince by  the  nabob,  in  the  year  1773,  and  the  subsequent 
devastation  and  ruin  occasioned  by  the  invasion  of  Hyder 
Ali,  had  reduced  the  rajah  to  great  pecuniary  distresses, 
and  rendered  the  closing  years  of  his  reign  a  painfid  con- 
trast to  the  gaiety  and  splendor  of  his  youth.  Debilitated 
by  an  incurable  disease,  and  overwhelmed  with  affliction 
by  the  premature  loss  of  his  son,  his  daughter,  and  his 
grandson,  his  only  legitimate  descendants,  the  unhappy 
Tuljajee,  regardless  of  the  consolations  of  that  divine 
religion  which  had  been  repeatedly  displayed  before  him 
by  his  friend  and  adviser,  Swartz,  retired  in  hopeless  des-, 
pondency  to  the  recesses  of  his  palace,  from  which  he 
never  afterwards  emerged.  Here,  brooding  over  his  public 
embarrassments  and  his  private  sorrows,  his  former  mild 
and  benevolent  disposition  appears  to  have  been  exchanged 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  265 

for  harshness,  and  indifference  to  the  sufferings  of  his 
people.  Avarice  became  his  ruling  passion  ;  and  the 
collections  from  a  country  desolated  by  war  and  famine 
were  barely  adequate  to  supply  his  demands.  At  this 
period,  the  rajah  lost  his  upright  sirkeel,  or  prime  minister, 
Buclienah,  who  was  succeeded  by  Baba,  a  man  of  noto- 
riously oppressive  and  rapacious  character.  Instead  of 
relieving  tbe  distresses  which  the  people  had  long  suffered, 
this  unprincipled  minister  augmented  them  to  an  intol- 
erable degree,  partly  for  the  purpose  of  replenishing  the 
rajah's  treasury,  and  partly  for  his  own  individual  advan- 
tage, by  a  system  of  the  most  atrocious  injustice,  cruelty, 
and  oppression.  The  people  groaning  under  this  bar- 
barous niisgovernment,  and  appealing  to  the  rajah  for 
redress  in  vain,  at  length  abandoned  their  country,  and 
fled  in  crowds  to  the  neighboring  districts  of  Karical, 
Nagore,  and  Trichinopoly,  in  the  former  of  which,  then 
possessed  by  the  French,  they  not  only  found  a  secure 
asylum,  but  were  received  with  the  utmost  hospitality  and 
kindness.  Several  populous  towns  and  villages  were 
deserted,  and  whole  districts,  for  want  of  laborers,  lay 
waste  and  uncultivated.  The  number  of  useful  inhabitants 
who  thus  emigrated  was  estimated  at  sixty-five  thousand. 

Such  was  the  melancholy  state  of  Tanjore  when 
Sir  Archibald  Campbell  succeeded  Lord  Macartney  as 
governor  of  Madras,  one  of  the  earliest  measures  of  whose 
administration  was  to  open  a  connnunication  with  the 
rajah,  informing  him  of  the  representation  which  had 
been  made  to  the  English  government,  ar)d  entreating  him 
to  dismiss  his  oppressive  Duan,  and  to  appoint  able  and 
virtuous  men  to  manage  his  affairs. 

The  rajah  was  offended  at  this  interference,  and  en- 
deavored to  excuse  his  own  and  his  minister's  conduct; 
but  the  attempt  was  unavailing.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
southern  and  western  districts  declared  their  determination 
not  to  cultivate  their  lands  until  a  change  should  take 
place  in  the  administration  of  Tanjore.  Inconsequence 
of  this  declaration,  the  government  of  Fort  St.  George 
resolved  to  take  the  temporary  superintendence  of  Tan- 
jore into  their  own  hands;  and  for  this  purpose,  in  July 
1786,  appointed  a  committee  of  inspection,  consisting  of 
the  resident,  Mr.  Hudleston,  the  commandant  of  the 
garrison,  Colonel  Stewart,  and  the  paymaster,  Mr.  Hip- 
23 


266  MEMOIRS  OF 

pisley,  with  very  large  powers,  to  watch  over  the  affair* 
and  interests  of  Tanjore. 

With  this  committee  Sir  Archibald  Campbell  proposed 
to  unite  Mr.  Swartz ;  observing,  "There  are  abundant 
proofs  on  record  of  the  zeal,  ability,  and  services  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Swartz,  whose  accurate  local  knowledge,  and 
facility  in  the  country  languages,  and,  above  all,  whose 
high  estimation  with  the  rajah,  from  an  intercourse  of 
thirty  years,  must  render  his  assistance  of  essential  con- 
sequence on  such  occasions. 

"  His  presence,  if  possible,  should  always  be  requested 
in  the  committee,  in  which  he  should  have  an  honorary 
seat,  and  he  should  also  be  desired  to  interpret  and 
translate  whatever  may  be  necessary,  and  to  subjoin  his 
signature  to  all  such  examinations  and  translations." 

Shortly  after  this  important  appointment,  Mr.  Hudleston 
proposed  to  the  governor  that  Mr.  Swartz  should  not  only 
have  a  seat,  but  a  voice  in  the  committee  ;  stating  that  he 
had  exerted  the  political  authority  of  his  situation,  "  in 
conjunction  only  with  that  excellent  man,"  and  adding, 
"  It  is,  and  will  be  as  long  as  I  live,  my  greatest  pride, 
and  most  pleasing  recollection,  that  from  the  moment  of 
my  entering  on  this  responsible  station,  I  have  consulted 
with  Mr.  Swartz  on  every  occasion,  and  taken  no  step  of 
the  least  importance  without  his  previous  concurrence  and 
approbation  ;  nor  has  there  been  a  difference  of  sentiment 
between  us  in  any  one  instance.  Adverting  only  to  the 
peculiar  circuinstances  under  which  the  committee  begins 
its  administration,  and  the  prospect  they  present,  you  will, 
I  am  persuaded,  sir,  readily  conceive  of  how  serious  a 
consideration  it  must  be  to  me  to  have  both  the  advice  and 
effectual  support  of  Mr.  Swartz  in  the  adoption  of  that 
c®nduct  which  our  concurrent  judgment  may  approve. 
Happy,  indeed,"  continued  the  resident,  himself  no  mean 
judge  of  moral  and  political  merit,  "  happy  would  it  be 
for  this  country,  for  the  Company,  and  for  the  rajah  himself, 
when  his  eyes  should  be  opened,  if  he  possessed  the  whole 
authority,  and  were  invested  with  power  to  execute  all  the 
measures  that  his  wisdom  luid  benevolence  would  suggest." 

In  reply  to  this  coiunuinication,  the  governor  expressed 
his  entire  acquiescence  in  the  resident's  suggestion,  and 
added,  "  Such  is  my  opinion  of  Mr.  Svvartz's  abilities  and 
integrity,  that  I  have  recommended  to   the  board  that  he 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  267 

should  be  admitted  a  member  of  the  committee,  without 
any  reservation  whatever  ;  and  my  confidence  in  him  is 
such  that  I  think  many  advantages  may  be  derived  there- 
from." 

On  being  called  to  the  committee  as  an  honorary  mem- 
ber, "  Mr.  Swartz  expressed  his  readiness  to  give  his  best 
opinion  and  advice,  and  to  be  aiding,  on  all  occasions  that 
did  not  involve  violent  or  coercive  proceedings ;  which, 
however  expedient  they  might  be  deemed  in  the  estima- 
tion of  government  or  the  committee,  he  considered,  never- 
theless, as  unbecoming  the  character  of  his  mission.  His 
most  zealous  endeavors,  as  they  ever  had  been,  so  they 
were  now,  at  the  service  of  the  Honorable  Company,  and 
happy  he  should  esteem  himself  if  he  could  be  in  the  least 
instrumental  in  producing  harmony  between  the  rajah 
and  the  Company,  and  to  see  the  poor  inhabitants  of  this 
once  flourisiiing  country  restored  to  the  undisturbed  pos- 
session of  the  fruits  of  their  labor."  Having  made  this 
declaration,  he  took  his  seat  in  the  committee. 

In  pursuance  of  the  suggestion  alluded  to  by  Sir  Archi- 
bald Campbell,  Mr.  Swartz  requested  an  interview  with 
the  rajah,  for  the  purpose  of  persuading  him  to  accede  to 
the  expedient  of  adding  his  cowle  to  that  of  the  Company, 
in  order  to  remove  the  distrust  of  the  inhabitants,  and  to 
offer  them  such  security  tor  the  redress  of  their  grievances, 
as  would  prevail  on  them  to  return  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  country. 

In  reply  to  this  proposal,  the  rajah  earnestly  deprecated 
the  compromise  of  his  authority  by  any  interference  on 
the  part  of  the  committee  of  inspection  ;  assured  Mr. 
Swartz  that  he  had  actually  afforded  considerable  relief 
to  his  people,  and  that  some  had  returned,  to  whom  he 
had  granted  a  supply  of  money  and  of  seed  for  the  culti- 
vation of  their  land. 

These  expedients,  however,  were  very  inadequate  to 
the  urgency  of  the  case  ;  and,  in  consequence,  one  of  the 
members  of  the  committee  of  inspection  strongly  recom- 
mended the  adoption  of  some  prompt  and  vigorous  meas- 
ures for  the  more  effectual  relief  of  the  people,  and 
particularly  suggested  frequent  meetings  of  the  committee, 
and  a  general  survey  of  the  country.  To  these  proposals 
Mr.  Hudleslon   and  Mr.  Swartz  were  decidedly  opposed, 


268  MEMOIRS  OF 

upon  the  broad  and  generous  ground  of  their  unwilling- 
ness to  take  any  step  which  might  unnecessarily  irritate 
the  rajah,  or  infringe  upon  those  principles  of  justice  by 
which  the  British  government  ought  upon  all  occasions 
to  be  actuated,  and  upon  that  independence  which  had 
been  solemnly  secured  to  the  rajah  on  his  restoration  by 
Lord  Pigot. 

Not  to  enter  at  length  into  the  discussions  of  the  com- 
mittee upon  this  important  subject,  which  were  highly 
honorable  to  every  member  of  it,  it  will  be  sufficient  to 
observe,  that  Mr.  Hippisley,  in  one  of  his  minutes,  attrib- 
uted the  reluctance  of  Mr.  Swartz  to  acquiesce  in  any 
coercive  measures,  to  his  sacred  function,  and  to  his 
personal  friendship  for  the  rajah,  which  he  thought,  to 
adopt  his  own  expressions,  "might  revolt  his  mind  against 
the  sterner  dictates  of  civil  policy."  From  the  undue 
influence  of  these  motives,  Mr.  Hudleston  warmly  vindi- 
cated his  friend  and  coadjutor,  observing,  that  while  he 
left  it  to  Mr.  Swartz  himself  to  explain  his  own  views,  he 
could  not  admit  the  supposed  imcompatibility  of  private 
friendship  with  the  dictates  of  sound  policy. 

It  would  be  unjust  to  the  character  of  this  truly  wise 
and  benevolent  man  not  to  insert  the  greater  part  of  his 
own  minute  upon  this  occasion. 

*'  I  confess  that  my  sacred  function  makes  me  wish 
(to  speak  in  the  mildest  terms)  that  no  coercive  methods 
may  be  used  against  the  rajah  ;  but  surely  that  is  not  the 
only  motive  which  makes  me  abhor  force  ;  nay,  I  men- 
tioned in  the  committee  one  of  a  different  nature. 

"  The  recollection  of  all  that  happened  before  the 
second  siege,*  the  injustice  of  the  nabob  against  the  rajah, 
which  was  removed  in  a  great  measure  by  the  restoration, 
and  the  assurances  which  were  then  made  to  him,  gave 
him  a  full  right  to  be  treated  with  lenity.  By  such  treat- 
ment, which  he  may  justly  claim,  his  mind  will  not  only 
be  preserved  in  a  state  of  tranquillity,  but  our  neighbors 
will  also  observe  the  sacred  regard  which  we  pay  to  our 
solemn  promises ;  which  may  be  of  greater  importance, 
and  ought  of  course  to  be  of  greater  force,  than  the  con- 
sideration of  utility. 

"  My  friendly  intercourse  with  the  rajah  from  his  acces- 

*  Of  Tanjore  in  1773. 


THE   REV,  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  269 

sion,  shall  never  bias  me  to  be  regardless  of  the  injustice 
he  has  done  to  his  oppressed  people.  This  I  have  declared 
more  than  once,  when  I  humbly  entreated  him  to  have 
mercy  on  his  subjects  ;  for  which  plain  declaration  I  lost, 
in  some  degree,  his  good  opinion. 

"  But  as  the  law  threateneth  the  disobedient,  it  shows 
kindness  to  those  who  earnestly  begin  to  follow  its  dictates. 

"  This  is  the  case  of  the  rajah.  Whether  from  good 
motives  or  mere  fear,  certain  it  is,  he  has  sent  to  his 
people  such  terms  as  they  never  before  were  acquainted 
with.  He  has  taken  off  taxes,  which  were  laid  on  them 
in  his  father's  time  ;  he  has  charged  his  soubadars  to 
publish  them,  and  the  inhabitants  confess,  that  if  he  re- 
ligiously keeps  those  promises,  they  shall  be  very  happy. 

"  As  to  the  two  articles  of  betel  and  salt,  he  will  no 
doubt  relieve  his  people  very  soon. 

"  With  respect  to  the  uncultivated  fields,  we  know  for 
certain  that  many  thousand  acres  lie  barren.  But  this  is 
owing  to  the  small  number  of  inhabitants,  which  no  sur- 
vey will  multiply. 

"  As  to  a  proper  survey  made  by  an  engineer,  it  has 
been  made  already  by  Colonel  Ross,  Major  Stevens, 
Captain  D.  Good,  and  Captain  Alexander  Read  ;  whether 
they  have  only  begun,  or  perfectly  finished  it,  I  cannot 
ascertain.  Sure  I  am  that  it  was  undertaken,  and  I  was 
on  the  spot  with  the  above-mentioned  gentlemen  when 
they  actually  were  surveying." 

The  result  of  the  preceding  discussion  in  the  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection  was  the  postponement  of  any  coercive 
measures  towards  the  rajah,  and  Mr.  Swartz  was  left  to 
try  the  effect  of  renewed  applications  of  a  friendly  nature. 
Alarmed  by  his  representations,  and  fearing  lest,  after  all, 
the  committee  should  take  the  management  of  the  country 
into  their  hands,  the  rajah  at  length  reluctantly  announced 
his  determination  to  do  full  justice  to  his  people.  Ren- 
dered suspicious,  however,  by  former  experience,  they 
distrusted  his  promises,  and  rejected  his  offers.  The 
rajah  then  had  recourse  to  the  powerful  influence  of 
Swartz  himself,  and  requested  him  to  assure  them,  in  his 
own  name,  of  his  highness's  protection  ;  and  such  was 
their  confidence  in  his  integrity,  that  seven  thousand  of 
the  emigrants  returned  at  once  ;  others  soon  followed  ; 
23* 


270  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  upon  his  reminding  them  that  the  best  season  for 
cultivating  the  land  had  nearly  elapsed,  they  replied  ; 
"  As  you  have  shown  kindness  to  us,  we  intend  to  work 
night  and  day,  to  manifest  our  regard  for  you."  The 
poor  people,  anticipating  better  days,  exerted  themselves 
with  such  vigor,  that  the  harvest  was  more  abundant  than 
that  of  the  preceding  year. 

The  governor  and  council  of  Madras  were  so  impressed 
with  the  value  of  Mr.  Swarlz's  services  upon  this  impor- 
tant occasion,  that  they  resolved  on  granting  him  a  salary 
of  =£100  per  annum,  as  interpreter  to  the  Company  at 
Tanjore,  with  a  monthly  allowance  of  twenty  pagodas  for 
a  palankeen  ;  and  the  resident  was  desired,  in  communi- 
cating this  resolution,  to  express  "  the  high  sense  which 
the  board  entertained  of  Mr.  Swartz,  and  the  satisfaction 
they  derived  from  the  hope  that  his  zealous  exertions  in 
promoting  the  prosperity  of  the  rajah  of  Tanjore  and  his 
country  would  be  crowned  with  success." 

"  In  these  transactions,"  says  the  excellent  missionary, 
ever  intent  on  the  great  object  of  his  life,  "  I  had  the  best 
opportunities  of  conversing  with  the  first  inhabitants  about 
their  everlasting  welfare.  Pvlany  begin  to  be  convinced  of 
the  folly  of  idolatry,  and  as  we  have  a  prospect  of  seeing 
this  country  better  managed,  that  is,  with  more  justice,  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  have  a  good  effect  upon  the 
people." 

He  then  notices  the  provincial  schools,  which  were  to 
be  erected  upon  Mr.  Sullivan's  plan  ;  and  after  informing 
the  Society  that  the  school  at  Ramanadapuram  was  pro- 
ceeding with  tolerable  success,  he  regrets  that  the  external 
circumstances  of  the  country  did  not  seem  favorable  to 
the  establishment  of  others. 

At  the  close  of  this  letter,  Swartz  took  occasion  to  re- 
quest the  Society  to  receive  his  young  fiiend  Mr.  Kohlhoff 
into  the  number  of  their  missionaries,  assuring  them  of 
his  conviction  that  he  would  discharge  the  duties  of  that 
office  with  integrity;  and  concludes  by  thanking  them  for 
the  satisfaction  with  which  he  had  read  Dr.  White's  cele- 
brated Bampton  Lectures,  a  copy  of  which  had  been  sent 
to  each  of  the  missionaries,  praying  that  God  would  be 
pleased  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  nations,  and  that  the  pious 
endeavors  of  the  Society  might  be  blessed  with  abundant 
success. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  271 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Ordination  of  Mr.  J.  C.  KohlhofF — Adoption  of  a  son  by  the  Rajah 
of  Tanjore — He  requests  Mr.  Swartz  to  become  his  guardian,  and 
manager  of  the  country  during  his  minority — He  declines,  and 
recommends  another  plan — The  Rajah  accedes  to  it — His  death — 
Reference  of  the  succession  to  Tanjore,  to  the  Governor  General 
— Lord  Cornwallis's  directions — Sir  Archibald  Campbell  sets  aside 
the  adopted  son,  and  places  Ameer  Sing  on  the  throne — Advice 
of  the  Governor  to  the  new  Rajah — Committee  of  Inspection  dis- 
solved— Donation  of  Ameer  Sing  to  the  Tanjore  mission — Liberal 
support  of  provincial  schools,  by  the  Court  of  Directors — Question 
respecting  Castes — His  conduct  with  reference  to  this  subject — 
Congregation  at  Palamcotta — Letters  to  Mr.  Duffin — Arrival  of 
Mr.  Joenicke  as  a  missionary  at  Tanjore — Swartz's  character  of 
him — Journey  to  Madras — Letters. 

The  commencement  of  the  year  1787  was  marked  by  an 
event  peculiarly  interesting  to  Mr.  Swartz.  This  was  the 
ordination,  according  to  the  rites  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
of  his  young  friend,  Mr.  John  Caspar  Kohlhoff.  The 
ceremony  was  performed  at  Tranquebar  on  the  23d  of 
January,  "one  of  the  most  solemn  days,"  said  the  Danish 
brethren,  "ever  celebrated  at  that  place."  On  that  day 
their  venerable  senior,  the  Rev.  John  Balthasar  Kohlhoft", 
kept  the  jubilee  of  his  services  as  a  missionary,  and  being 
compelled  to  retire  from  active  labor,  had  the  inexpressible 
pleasure  of  seeing  his  eldest  son  ordained  in  the  mission 
church,  and  invested  with  the  holy  office  of  the  priesthood. 
The  several  missionaries,  both  English  and  Danish,  pro- 
pounded to  the  candidate  questions  in  divinity,  which  he 
answered  to  their  great  satisfaction,  showing  how  well  he 
had  employed  his  youthful  years  under  the  tuition  of  Mr. 


272  MEMOIRS   OF 

Swartz.  The  Danish  governor,  and  all  the  European 
families  of  the  settlement,  together  with  a  great  number 
of  native  Christians  and  heathens,  attended  the  service, 
and  a  general  awe  was  conspicuous,  particularly  during 
the  ordination  sermon,  which  Mr.  Swartz  preached,  from 
2  Tim.  ii.  1.  "  Thou  therefore,  my  son,  be  strong  in  the 
grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus."  After  the  ordination,  the 
young  minister  entered  the  pulpit,  and  preached  in  Tamul 
with  such  graceful  ease,  that  it  was  pleasing  to  every  one 
who  understood  it.  The  missionaries  expressed  the  great- 
est hope  of  his  continuing  a  faithful  servant  of  Christ, 
and  a  great  help  to  their  brother  Swartz  in  his  old  age. 

Swartz  thus  wrote  to  Mr.  Chambers  on  a  subject  which, 
on  various  accounts,  so  deeply  interested  him. 

"  Tanjore,  June  8, 1787. 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Your  long  and  most  agreeable 
letter  I  received  many  months  ago,  and  should  have  an- 
swered it  before  this,  had  not  business  and  an  indolent 
old  age  prevented  me  :  for  now  I  must  confess  that  I  can- 
not do  business  as  in  former  days.  However,  I  bless  God 
that  my  proper  business,  viz.,  that  of  being  a  witness  to 
him  who  died  for  me,  is  not  a  burden,  but  still  my  delight 
and  comfort. 

"  Your  most  friendly  letter  contains  many  comfortable 
proofs  of  divine  Providence  watching  over  you  and  your 
welfare,  which  has  rejoiced  me  much.  '  The  righteous 
shall  see  it  and  rejoice  ;  and  all  iniquity  shall  stop  her 
mouth.'  May  you  and  Mrs.  C.  daily  'observe  these 
things' — then  shall  you  'understand  the  loving-kindness 
of  the  Lord.' 

"  As  for  me,  I  am  also  highly  obliged  to  sing  of  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord,  though  I  am  not  worthy  of  tlie  least  of 
all  his  divine  benefits. 

"  You  know  that  I  took  the  son  of  our  venerable  senior, 
Mr.  Kohlhoff,  under  my  care.  From  his  younger  years, 
I  instructed  him  in  Christianity,  English,  German,  Greek, 
and  some  country  languages.  Having  been  instructed  for 
several  years,  it  pleased  God  to  awaken  him  to  a  sense  of 
his  own  sinfulness,  and  to  raise  in  his  mind  a  hunger  and 
thirst  after  the  righteousness  of  Jesus.  He  then  prayed, 
wept,  and  meditated  ;  and,  in  short,  he  became  a  very 
agreeable  companion  to  me.  His  improvement  in  know- 
ledge I  observed  with  delight. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  273 

"  I  employed  him  gradually,  so  that  he  in  a  short  time 
catechised  in  the  English  and  Malabar  school.  As  I 
explained  to  him  the  Epistles  of  St.  Paul,  and  read  with 
him  many  of  the  best  authors  in  English  and  German,  I 
permitted  him  to  preach  before  the  Malabar  congregation. 
By  slow  degrees  he  became  a  very  useful  assistant  to  me. 

"  Feeling  the  infirmities  of  old  age  coming  upon  me,  I 
represented  his  case  to  the  Society,  requested  permission 
to  put  him  into  sacred  orders,  and  to  constitute  him  my 
successor.  The  Society  consented  to  all,  desiring  that 
the  ordination  might  be  performed  in  the  presence  of  all 
the  missionaries  at  the  coast.  Accordingly  we  went  to 
Tranquebar.  The  young  candidate  was  examined  by  all, 
and  publicly  ordained.  The  Danish  governor,  and  the 
whole  congregation,  black  and  white,  were  assembled. 
When  kneeling  at  the  ;iltar,  he  had  the  peculiar  and 
awful  delight  of  seeing  his  aged  father  sitting  near  him.* 
I  explained  the  words  of  St.  Paul,  2  Tim.  ii.  1,  and  so 
blessed  him  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Afterwards  young 
Mr.  Kolilhoff  mounted  the  pulpit,  and  preached.  It  is 
impossible  to  describe  or  explain  what  I  felt  on  that  day — 
the  most  awful  of  all  my  days.  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul !  " 

During  the  absence  of  Swartz,  at  Tranquebar,  on  this 
interesting  occasion,  an  event  took  place  in  the  court  of 
Tanjore,  in  consequence  of  which  he  was  unexpectedly, 
and  most  honorably  to  himself,  called  to  act  a  prominent 
part  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  country.  This,  as  it 
occupied  much  of  his  time  and  thoughts  during  the  last 
ten  years  of  his  life,  and  is  as  yet  but  imperfectly  under- 
stood, it  will  be  important  fully  to  develop;  more  partic- 
ularly for  the  purpose  of  showing,  that  while  he  continued 
to  devote  his  chief  attention  to  his  higher  and  more  im- 
mediate duties  as  a  missionary,  it  proved  the  occasion  of 
more  eminently  displaying  not  only  the  integrity  and 
disinterestedness,  but  the  wisdom  and  ability,  which  dis- 
tinguished his  character. 

The  event  referred  to,  was  the  adoption  of  a  son  by  the 


*  That  excellent  man  survived  this  interesting  scene  about  four 
years,  having  lived  to  see  his  son  diligently  engaged  in  the  English 
mission,  .ind  the  rest  of  his  family,  by  the  good  providence  of  God, 
comfortably  provided  for. 


274  MEMOIRS  OF 

rajah,  as  his  successor  in  the  kingdom  of  Tanjore.  The 
domestic  calamities  of  the  unhappy  Tuljajee  have  been 
already  noticed;  and,  according  to  the  custom  of  his 
country,  he  was  anxious  to  select  a  child  from  one  of  the 
branches  of  his  ancient  house,  to  supply  the  failure  of  his 
own  immediate  descendants. 

In  this  important  proceeding,  the  rajah,  who,  as  it  has 
been  already  remarked,  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
civil  and  religious  institutions  of  liis  country,  was  careful 
to  observe  all  the  ceremonies  requisite  to  render  it  legal 
and  valid. 

This  solemn  act  he  announced  in  the  following  letter, 
dated  January  26,  1787,  to  Sir  Archibald  Campbell, 
governor  of  Madras,  as  translated  by  the  Mahratta  inter- 
preter. 

"  It  has  been  my  wish  for  two  or  three  years  past  to 
adopt  a  son  ;  but  as  I  have  had  no  opportunity  of  carrying 
it  into  execution,  it  has  hitherto  been  delayed.  Having 
now  resolved  to  choose  one  out  of  my  near  relations,  I 
have  fixed  upon  the  son  of  Shahajee  (the  son  of  Soubajee 
rajah,  my  near  cousin  by  lineal  descent,)  who  is  ten  years 
old,  and  proper  in  all  respects.  Accordingly,  on  the  2d 
of  Rubbisanni,  (22d  January,)  in  consequence  of  my 
wishes,  I  adopted  and  named  him  Serfojee  rajah,  with  all 
the  forms  of  our  religion :  this  has  afforded  great  relief  to 
my  mind.  As  your  excellency  is  my  friend  and  favorer, 
I  have  written  a  letter  to  give  you  this  pleasing  informa- 
tion. I  am  firmly  convinced  that  whatever  favor  and 
protection  I  have  received  from  the  honorable  Company, 
and  from  your  excellency,  will  hereafter  be  continued  to 
my  child  Serfojee,  without  deviation.  I  and  my  country 
have  no  resource  but  in  your  excellency  :  I  rely  on  you 
with  the'  greatest  confidence.  All  other  information  will 
be  communicated  to  your  excellency, by  my  vakeel. 

"  To  a  friend,  why  should  I  write  more  1 " 

A  day  or  two  after  despatching  the  preceding  letter,  the 
rajah  sent  for  Mr.  Swartz,  and,  on  his  arrival,  addressed 
him  in  the  following  brief  but  emphatic  manner.  Point- 
ing to  his  newly-adopted  child,  he  said,  "  This  is  not  my 
son,  but  yours :  into  your  hand  I  deliver  him."  The 
pious  missionary  replied,  "  May  this  child  become  a  child 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  275 

of  God  !  "  Here  the  rajah,  being  distressed  by  his  cough, 
suddenly  terminated  the  interview;  but  on  the  following 
day,  feeling  himself  a  little  stronger,  he  again  requested 
his  attendance,  and  thus  resumed  the  conversation  :  "  I 
appoint  you  guardian  to  the  child  :  I  intend  to  give  him 
over  to  your  care;"  or,  literally,  to  put  his  hands  into 
yours. 

So  unexpected  and  flattering  a  charge  might  have 
proved  a  temptation  to  a  man  of  greater  ambition  and 
less  disinterestedness  than  Swartz ;  but  he  immediately  re- 
plied, "You  know,  rajah,  that  I  have  always  been  willing 
to  serve  you,  as  far  as  I  could  ;  but  this,  your  last  request, 
is  beyond  my  power.  You  havq  adopted  this  child,  and 
you  now  leave  him  without  a  guardian,  without  a  support, 
like  a  garden  without  a  fence.  I  am  afraid  that  by  so 
doing,  you  would  not  consult  the  happiness  of  the  child, 
or  the  welfare  of  your  country.  You  know  there  are 
competitors  and  parties  in  the  palace,  who  aspire  to  the 
government.  Cabals  and  animosities  will  ensue  more 
than  you  may  think  of.  These  will  endanger  the  life  of 
the  boy,  and  involve  the  kingdom  in  confusion.  As  for 
me,  I  must  disclaim  all  guardianship,  for  this  reason  : 
because,  waiving  all  other  considerations,  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  me  to  take  care  of  him.*  I  may,  perhaps,  see 
him  once  or  twice  in  a  month,  and  may  give  him  my  best 
advice  ;  but  what  poor  guardianship  would  this  be  !  You 
will  be  pleased  to  adopt  some  other  plan."  The  rajah 
asked,  "What  method  do  you  propose?"  Swartz  an- 
swered, "  Yo,u  have  a  brother, — deliver  the  child  to  him  ; 
charge  him  to  educate  and  treat  him  as  his  own  son,  till 
he  is  grown  up.  Thus  his  health  and  life  may  be  pre- 
served, and  the  welfare  of  the  country  may  be  secured." 
To  this  suggestion,  the  rajah  at  first  objected  ;  but  after- 
wards said,  "  Well,  I  will  consider  all  that  you  have 
urged!"     "  And  so,"  adds  the  missionary,  "  I  left  him." 

*  It  is  evident,  from  his  subsequent  conduct,  tliat  this  rejection  of 
the  guardianship  of  Serfogee  related  chiefly  to  the  government  of 
the  country  during  his  minority,  and  not  to  that  of  his  person  and 
education ;  in  which  we  shall  soon  find  Mr.  Swartz  interesting  him- 
self, and  of  which  he  was  recognized  by  the  Madras  government  as 
the  guardian. — Author. 

Or  rather,  may  it  not  be  that  subsequent  events  induced  Swartz 
to  believe,  that  the  preservation  of  the  young  prince's  life  required 
him  to  accept  the  guardianship  of  his  person .'' — Am.  Ed. 


276  MEMOIRS   OF 

The  objection  thus  alluded  to  on  the  part  of  Tuljajee, 
was  a  doubt  as  to  the  legitimacy  of  his  brother,  who  was, 
in  fact,  the  son  of  a  concubine,  and  with  whom  he  had 
never  been  on  friendly  and  cordial  terms.  In  the  course, 
however,  of  the  evening  after  the  preceding  conversation, 
the  rajah's  mother  visited  him,  and  earnestly  interceded 
in  behalf  of  llama  Swamey,  afterwards  called  Ameer 
Sing.  This,  combined  with  the  advice  of  Svvartz,  deter- 
mined Tuljajee  to  adopt  the  plan  proposed.  He  accord- 
ingly sent  for  his  brother,  delivered  his  adopted  son  into 
his  hands,  desired  him  to  be  his  guardian,  and  earnestly 
commended  him  to  his  care  and  affection.  He  then 
ordered  a  dress  for  his  brother,  and  requested  him  to  be 
kind  to  all  his  old  servants,  and  to  continue  them  in  their 
offices.  The  rajah's  mother  and  the  principal  people  of 
the  palace  were  present  at  this  interview,  and  expressed 
their  joy  and  satisfaction  at  the  arrangement  which  had 
been  made. 

The  next  morning  the  rajah,  who  was  rapidly  sinking, 
requested  the  attendance  of  the  resident,  Mr.  Hudleston, 
Colonel  Stuart,  the  commander  of  the  garrison,  and 
Mr.  Svvartz.  They  were  conducted  to  a  small  pavilion, 
near  the  apartment  in  which  the  rajah  was  lying,  and 
were  there  introduced  to  his  brother  and  his  adopted  son, 
who  were  sitting  together,  surrounded  by  his  principal 
servants.  The  dying  prince  then  sent  the  following  mes- 
sage to  them.  After  stating  that,  in  compliance  with  the 
suggestions  of  Mr.  Swartz,  he  had  appointed  Ameer  Sing 
to  be  the  guardian  of  the  child,  and  regent  of  the 
country,  till  he  should  be  capable  of  succeeding  to  the 
throne,  he  expressed  his  desire  that  the  honorable  Com- 
pany would  consider  these  two  persons  as  the  nearest  and 
dearest  to  him  in  the  world,  and  would  support  them  in 
the  government  of  the  country,  according  to  their  solemn 
promise  to  maintain  him  and  his  heirs  on  the  throne,  as 
long  as  the  sun  and  the  moon  should  endure.  He  then 
said,  that  as  he  looked  upon  the  resident  and  Mr.  Swartz 
as  faithful,  he  requested  them  to  give  him  their  assurance 
that  they  would  communicate  his  wishes  to  government, 
and  expressed  his  hope  that  the  company  would  confirm 
this  his  last  will,  and  continue  to  his  brother  and  adopted 
son  the  same  kindness  which  they  had  shown  to  himself. 
Mr.    Hudleston   having  promised   to   transmit   a  faithful 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  27y 

account  of  all  that  had  passed,  the  rajah  replied,  "This 
assurance  comforts  me  in  my  hist  hours ! " 

Two  days  after  the  affecting  scene  just  described,  the 
rajah,  Tuljajee,  who,  from  the  commencement  of  their 
^.intercourse,  and  amidst  all  his  errors  and  irregularities, 
^  had  treated  Swartz  with  unvarying  respect  and  kindness, 
expired.  His  obsequies  appear  to  have  been  conducted 
with  due  pomp,  but  without  any  tumult.  The  body  of 
the  rajah  was  burned  ;  but  no  female  was  immolated  on 
the  funeral  pile, — a  circumstance  of  which  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell,  much  to  his  honor,  at  a  period  when  the  sub- 
ject had  excited  but  little  attention,  availed  himself,  to 
urge  upon  his  successor  the  prohibition  of  a  custom  "  dis- 
tressing," as  he  justly  observed,  "to  the  feelings  of  hu- 
manity, and  only  serving  to  enrich  the  priest,  by  means 
of  the  jewels  of  the  women  who  are  thus  cruelly  and 
untimely  sent  out  of  the  world." 

The  Committee  of  Inspection,  by  order  of  the  governor 
and  council  of  Madras,  took  the  necessary  measures  for 
preserving  the  tranquillity  of  the  country.  In  conjunction 
with  Ameer  Sing,  who  was  considered  as  regent  during 
the  minority  of  Serfojee,  ihey  were  directed  to  maintain 
the  government  of  Tanjore  as  administered  by  the  late 
rajah,  until  further  instructions  should  be  received  from 
the  governor-general  of  Bengal  ;  and  on  the  day  following 
the  funeral  of  the  rajah,  the  military  force  which  had 
been  assembled,  in  order  to  prevent  disturbance,  was, 
at  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Swartz,  withdrawn  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  palace. 

In  communicating  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Chris- 
tian Knowledge  the  preceding  events,  he  informed  them, 
that  Ameer  Sing  promised  to  be  a  father  to  the  people, 
to  alleviate  their  burdens,  to  inspect  the  state  of  the  country, 
and  not  to  leave  the  whole  administration  to  his  servants. 
"  He  hopes,"  he  added,  "  to  be  confirmed  by  the  governor- 
general,  according  to  the  last  will  of  his  brother.  If  so, 
certainly  he  will  not  hinder  the  progress  of  the  Christian 
religion,  but,  at  least  externally,  further  it." 

On  the  death  of  Tuljajee,  the  nabob  of  the  Carnatic 
took  the  opportunity  of  urging  his  claim  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Tanjore  ;  but  this,  having  been  maturely  con- 
sidered and  declared  invalid  many  years  before,  was  at 
once  rejected  by  Lord  Cornwallis.  The  friends,  however, 
24 


278  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  Ameer  Sing  were  by  no  means  contented  that  he 
should  retain  merely  the  character  of  regent,  and  guardian 
to  the  adopted  son  of  the  late  rajah,  but  appear  to  have 
made  strong  representations  to  Sir  Archibald  Campbell 
of  the  injustice  of  excluding  him  from  the  immediate 
succession  to  the  throne.  These  being  transmitted  to 
Lord  Cornwallis,  made  a  considerable  impression  upon 
his  mind  in  favor  of  Ameer  Sing  ;  but  in  a  minute  in 
council  upon  this  subject,  it  is  well  observed,  that,  how- 
ever contrary  to  our  ideas  of  natural  justice  the  disposition 
made  by  'I'uljajee  might  be,  still  if  it  were  conformable 
to  the  laws  of  the  Hindoos,  and  accorded  with  their 
opinions  and  prejudices,  no  arguments  of  this  kind  should 
prevail  upon  the  governor-general  to  alter  it. 

It  was  also  insinuated,  that  at  the  time  of  the  adoption 
of  Serfojee  by  the  late  rajah,  his  mind  was  so  much 
weakened  by  disease,  and  influenced  by  some  of  those 
around  him,  that  he  could  scarcely  be  considered  com- 
petent to  the  performance  of  so  important  an  act. 

These  representations  induced  Lord  Cornwallis  to  send 
instructions  to  the  government  of  Madras,  to  inquire 
whether  the  pundits  and  principal  people  of  Tanjore  con- 
sidered the  succession,  under  the  circumstances  of  the 
adoption,  and  the  rights  of  the  brother,  as  conformable  to 
the  laws  and  religion  of  the  Hindoos,  or  in  any  manner 
opposed  to  them.  Supposing  the  reply  to  such  an  inquiry 
to  be  in  the  affirmative,  the  adopted  son  was  to  be  con- 
firmed in  the  succession,  and  to  be  supported  by  the 
Madras  government :  if  otherwise,  Ameer  Sing  was  to 
be  raised  to  the  musnud,  and  to  be  equally  supported  by 
the  British  authority.  If  the  case  should  appear  doubtful, 
and  no  sufficient  test  should  be  offered  for  the  determina- 
tion of  the  points  in  question,  the  governor-general  stated 
that  he  should  not  hesitate,  on  the  ground  of  his  superior 
natural  rights,  to  decide  in  favor  of  Ameer  Sing.  It  is 
important  to  observe,  that  in  entering  into  this  discussion, 
the  Bengal  government  hud  no  interested  motive,  but  was 
solely  influenced  by  a  desire  to  prove  that  their  proceed- 
ings were  regulated  by  strict  justice,  and  an  impartial 
regard  to  the  rights  of  the  Hindoo  princes. 

In  pursuance  of  these  instructions,  Sir  Archibald  Camp- 
bell proceeded  in  the  month  of  April  to  Tanjore,  and  con- 
vened twelve  pundits,  to  whom  certain  questions  concern- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  279 

ing  the  adoption  of  Serfojee,  and  the  right  of  Ameer 
Sing  to  the  throne,  were  proposed.  The  members  of  the 
Committee  of  Inspection  were  requested  to  attend  at  their 
deliberations,  and  Mr.  Swartz  to  act  as  interpreter. 

Though  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell  was  sincerely  desirous  of  ascertaining  the  truth, 
subsequent  investigations  and  events  clearly  prove  that 
sufficient  precaution  was  not  used  to  guard  against  the 
undue  influence  of  Ameer  Sing  and  his  party,  in  biassing 
the  minds  of  the  pundits  upon  this  occasion;  and  it  unfor- 
tunately happened,  that  though  Mr.  Swartz  was  fully 
competent  to  interpret  their  language,  he  was  at  that  time 
not  so  intimately  acquainted  with  the  doctrine  of  the 
Shasters  upon  this  particular  subject,  as  to  be  able  to 
detect  the  discordance  of  their  opinions  with  the  principles 
of  Hindoo  law  and  religion. 

To  the  various  questions  proposed  to  them,  the  pundits 
unanimously  replied,  "  that  the  adoption  of  Serfojee  was 
illegal  and  invalid,  and  the  right  of  Ameer  Sing  to  the 
throne,  clear  and  undoubted. "  In  consequence  of  this 
decision.  Sir  Archibald  Campbell  declared  his  resolution 
to  set  aside  the  adopted  son,  and  to  raise  the  brother  of 
the  late  rajah  to  the  throne  of  his  ancestors.  This  deter- 
mination was  immediately  carried  into  effect;  and  the 
ceremony  of  placing  Ameer  Sing  on  the  musnud,  by  the 
governor  of  Madras,  was  accompanied  with  every  mark 
of  distinction  and  solemnity.  At  the  close  of  the  speech 
which  he  addressed  to  the  new  rajah  upon  this  occasion, 
he  expressed  his  confident  expectation,  that  the  adopted 
child,  Serfojee,  would  be  countenanced,  protected,  and 
maintained  in  a  suitable  manner  ;  with  which  intimation 
Ameer  Sing  promised  the  most  faithful  compliance.  A 
treaty  was  concluded  between  the  Company  and  the 
rajah,  who  immediately  assumed  the  government  of  the 
country. 

Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  at  the  same  time,  took  the 
opportunity  of  earnestly  recommending  to  the  rajah  his 
serious  attention  to  the  state  of  the  revenue,  and  the 
administration  of  justice  in  Tanjore.  Upon  both  these 
important  points,  the  governor  gave  him  the  most  friendly 
and  excellent  advice,  and  referred  him  to  Mr.  Swartz, 
as  the  person  best  qualified  to  afford  him  counsel  and 
assistance. 


280  MEMOIRS   OF 

The  Committee  of  Inspection  was  shortly  afterwards 
dissolved,  by  a  letter  from  the  governor  and  council  of 
Madras,  in  which  they  expressed  a  high  sense  of  the  zeal, 
abilities,  and  exertions  of  its  men)bers,  and  a  perfect 
approbation  of  their  conduct,  which  was  recorded  on 
their  proceedings,  and  would  be  reported  to  the  court  of 
directors. 

On  the  elevation  of  Ameer  Sing  to  the  sovereignty  of 
Tanjore,  Mr.  Svvartz  privately  admonished  him  to  fulfil 
the  promise  given  to  his  subjects,  to  hear  their  complaints, 
and  to  restrain  the  injustice  of  his  servants. 

It  is  not  unworthy  of  notice,  as  one  among  many  other 
instances  of  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Svvartz,  that,  in  the  year 
1782,  in  furtherance  of  the  public  service,  he  lent  one 
thousand  pagodas  to  the  late  rajah  of  Tanjore  ;  which  sum 
he  now  consented  to  receive,  without  interest,  from  the 
commissioners  for  adjusting  the  claims  on  the  deceased 
rajah,  at  the  accession  of  his  brother. 

Not  long  afterwards  Mr.  Swartz  reported  to  the  Madras 
government,  that  about  fifteen  years  previous  to  that  date 
he  had  built  a  church  at  Vellore  for  the  instruction  of  the 
natives  ;  that  when  the  war  ended,  and  peace  was  estab- 
lished, four  companies  of  his  Majesty's  72d  regiment  were 
stationed  in  Vellore,  who,  having  no  proper  quarters,  used 
the  church  as  barracks,  and  continued  so  to  use  them. 

He  therefore  requested  that  government  would  either 
allow  him  a  monthly  gratuity,  or  buy  the  house  for  the 
company's  use. 

The  surveyor  was  directed  to  report  on  this  building  ; 
in  communication  with  whom,  Mr.  Svvartz  agreed  to 
accept  three  hundred  pagodas  as  the  purchase-money, 
which  was  paid  to  him  accordingly,  in  full  of  all  demands, 
and  the  building  made  over  to  the  company. 

Though  the  conduct  of  Ameer  Sing,  as  will  hereafter 
appear,  was,  in  many  respects,  unsatisfactory,  it  is  pleas- 
ing to  observe,  that  he  took  an  early  opportunity  of  fulfil- 
ling the  promise  of  his  brother  "  before  his  death,  by 
delivering  to  Mr.  Swartz  a  written  document,  sealed  by 
himself  and  his  chief  ministers,  in  which  he  made  an  ap- 
propriation for  ever  of  a  village,  of  the  yearly  income  of 
about  five  hundred  pagodas,  (<£200.)  for  the  school,  and 
more  especially  for  the  orphans."  The  village  is  situated 
on  the  confines  of  the  district  belonging  to  Tranquebar, 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  281 

which  Swartz  preferred  to  one  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Tanjore,  on  account  of  the  convenience  of  sending  the 
children,  in  case  of  war,  of  which  he  was  constantly  ap- 
prehensive, to  a  neutral  territory.  In  a  letter  to  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  which  con- 
tained this  pleasing  information,  he  makes  honorable 
mention  of  Mr.  Hippisley,  as  having  always  shown  himself 
willing  to  be  serviceable  to  the  mission. 

The  plan  of  establishing  provincial  schools,  proposed  by 
Mr.  Sullivan,  of  which  some  account  has  been  already 
given,*  will  be  in  the  recollection  of  the  reader.  Upon 
the  return  of  that  gentleman  to  Europe,  he  communicated 
it  to  the  directors  of  the  East  India  Company  ;  and  it  ia 
due  to  that  distinguished  body  to  state,  that  they  at  once 
perceived  the  vvisdom  and  utility  of  the  suggestion,  and 
with  the  most  enlarged  views  of  the  real  welfare  of  the 
natives  of  India,  tbey  determined  on  affording  it  their 
cordial  and  liberal  support.  The  following  is  an  extract 
of  a  letter  from  the  court  of  directors  to  the  governor  and 
council  of  Fort  St.  George,  upon  this  subject,  dated  J6th 
of  February  1787. 

*'  The  utility  and  importance  of  establishing  a  free  and 
direct  communication  with  the  natives,  having  been  sen- 
sibly experienced  during  the  late  war  in  India;  and  their 
acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  English  language  being  the 
most  effectual  means  of  accomplishing  this  desirable  object, 
it  is  with  great  pleasure  we  learn  from  Mr.  John  Sullivan, 
our  late  resident  at  Tanjore,  that,  seconded  in  his  laudable 
undertaking  by  the  zealous  exertions  of  the  Rev.  Mr, 
Swartz,  he  had  prevailed  on  the  rajah  of  Tanjore.  and  the 
rajahs  of  the  great  and  little  Marawar,  to  establish  schools 
for  teaching  English  at  Tanjore,  Ramanadapuram,  and 
Shevagunga,  the  capitals  of  their  respective  countries  ; 
the  two  latter  assigning  three  hundred  pagodas  each  for 
the  support  of  their  two  seminaries.  These  works  of 
peace,  Mr.  Sullivan  informs  us,  have  been  interrupted  by 
the  calamities  of  war,  and  the  funds  assigned  for  their 
support  necessarily  diverted  to  other  purposes  ;  but  we 
hope  they  will  revive  with  the  restoration  of  tranquillity. 

"  Highly  approving  of  institutions  calculated  to  establish 
mutual  good  faith,  to  enlighten  the  minds  of  the  natives, 

*  See  p.  240. 
24* 


282  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  to  impress  them  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and  respect 
for  the  British  nation,  by  making  them  acquainted  with 
the  leading  features  of  our  government,  so  favorable  to 
the  rights  and  happiness  of  mankind,  we  have  determined 
to  evince  our  desire  of  promoting  their  success,  by  con- 
tributing two  hundred  and  fifty  pagodas  per  annum  towards 
the  support  of  each  of  the  schools  above  mentioned,  and  of 
any  other  school  which  may  be  opened  for  the  same  pur- 
pose ;  and  we  accordingly  direct  you  to  pay  such  schools 
respectively  the  annual  stipend  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pagodas,  flattering  ourselves  that  our  example  will  excite 
the  native  princes  in  alliance  with  us  to  similar  and  more 
extensive  benefactions  " 

It  had  often  been  objected,  at  this  early  period,  as  it  still 
continues  to  be,  to  the  success  of  the  missions  in  India, 
that  few,  if  any,  but  those  of  the  lower  castes,  were  ever 
converted  to  the  Christian  faith.  Without  referring  to 
various  considerations  which  might  tend  to  abate  our  sur- 
prise at  this  supposed  failure  among  the  higher  classes,  it 
may  be  satisfactory  to  record  the  testimony  of  so  compe- 
tent and  unimpeachable  a  witness  as  Swartz  upon  this 
point. 

"  Concerning  the  question  about  castes,"  he  observes, 
"  both  at  Tranquebar  and  here,  our  congregations  consist 
of  nearly  an  equal  number  of  the  higher  and  the  lower." 
He  then  refers  particularly  to  the  difliculty  which  naturally 
arose  as  to  the  intercourse  between  natives  of  diflerent 
castes,  even  after  their  conversion  to  that  divine  religion, 
which  while  it  invariably  recognizes  the  distinctions  of 
rank  in  civil  society,  teaches  that  all  are  brethren,  as  the 
children  of  the  same  common  father,  and  the  disciples  of 
the  same  meek  and  lowly  Saviour.  "  Here,"  he  continues, 
"  the  men  and  women  of  the  higher  caste,  sit  on  one  side 
of  the  church,  and  on  the  other,  those  of  the  lower. 

"  I  have  carefully  avoided  all  unnecessary  restraint,  and 
thus  have  met  with  fewer  difficulties.  Even  at  the  admin- 
istration of  the  sacrament,  sometimes  one  or  other  of  the 
lower  caste  has  first  approached  to  receive  it  without  pro- 
ducing any  unpleasant  sensation.  Should  you  visit  our 
church  on  a  Sunday,  you  would  observe  with  surprise  the 
clean  appearance  of  the  lower  caste,  so  that  one  might 
often  take  them  for  the  higher.    What  renders  them  pecu- 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  283 

liarly  obnoxious,  is  their  practice  of  feeding  upon  dead 
cattle.  1  have  always  expressed  the  utmost  abhorrence 
of  such  a  custom,  and  positively  declared  that  I  would  not 
allow  it,  and  accordingly  I  hardly  know  any  instance  of 
it  here.  The  country  priests  and  catechists  generally 
belong  to  one  of  the  higher  castes.  The  catechist  Gabriel 
is,  indeed,  of  the  lower ;  but  notwithstanding  this,  he 
converses  freely  with  people  of  a  higher  class,  as  he  pays 
particular  attention  to  cleanliness  in  his  dress.  In  the  in- 
terior of  the  country,  such  intercourse  is  certainly  not  so 
easy.  I  vvas  lately  invited  to  the  house  of  a  heathen  of 
the  higher  caste,  when  the  pariar  catechist  came  to  me. 
I  called  to  him,  '  Stop;  I  will  come  to  you ;'  the  suttirer, 
that  is,  the  people  of  the  higher  caste,  have  not  yet  learned 
to  be  humble  :  they  are  proud  sinners  yet — we  must  bear 
with  them.  This  they  were  not  willing  to  admit,  and 
accordingly  showed  kindness  to  the  catechist.  In  another 
place,  in  the  house  of  a  heathen,  many  people  assembled, 
whom  I  catechised  and  prayed  with,  and  we  even  had 
divine  service  there  on  a  Sunday.  The  master  of  the 
house  sat  down  at  my  feet,  listening  with  great  attention. 
O  !  that  we  could  spend  more  time  among  ihem.  Things 
would  then  soon  assume  a  more  promising  appearance. 
We  preach  to  high  and  low,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  our 
wisdom,  our  righteousness,  our  sanctification,  and  our  re 
demption." 

The  following  anecdote  affords  another  illustration  of 
the  easy  and  inoffensive  manner  in  which  Mr.  Swarlz  was 
accustomed  to  endeavor  to  lessen  the  prejudices  of  caste. 

He*  was  waiting  one  morning  in  the  ante-chamber  of 
the  palace  at  Tanjore,  for  an  interview  with  the  rajah, 
when  he  vvas  thus  accosted  by  a  brahmin,  who  was  attend- 
ing there  for  the  same  purpose.  "Mr.  Swartz,  do  you 
not  think  it  a  very  bad  thing  to  touch  a  pariar  ?  "  "  O 
yes,"  replied  the  venerable  missionary,  "a  very  bad 
thing."  The  brahmin,  however,  perceiving,  by  his  man- 
ner that  more  was  meant  than  expressed,  asked  again, 
"  But,  Mr.  Swartz,  what  do  you  mean  by  a  pariar?  "  "  I 
mean,"  the  good  man  answered,  "  a  thief,  a  liar,  a  slan- 
derer,  a  drunkard,   an   adulterer,   a    proud   man."     "O 

*  See  the  able  and  convincing  reply  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hough  to 
the  Abbfe  Dubois,  p.  79. 


284  MEMOIRS   OF 

then,"  said  the  bralimin,  hastily  interrupting  him,  "we 
are  all  pariars."  Tiius  was  he  made  to  perceive  how  in- 
significant, in  the  missionary's  opinion,  was  his  boasted 
superiority  over  the  pariar:  while  the  lesson  was  calculated 
to  teach  him  the  only  distinction,  in  the  sight  of  God, 
between  one  man  and  another. 

The  judicious  manner  in  which  Swartz  treated  this 
difficult  and  delicate  point,  is  another  proof  of  his  wise 
and  just  conception  of  the  liberal  and  tolerant  spirit  of 
Christianity ;  and  the  happy  consequence  of  his  mild  and 
forbearing  conduct  was,  that  the  distinctions  of  caste 
among  his  converts  were  gradually  disappearing,  and 
would  probably,  in  time,  have  been  entirely  forgotten. 
The  rash  and  intolerant  spirit,  however,  of  some  of  his 
younger  successors  revived  and  exasperated  the  feelings 
of  the  native  Christians  upon  these  painful  distinctions  ; 
and  at  the  period  when  the  mission  was  visited  by  Bishop 
Middleton,  and  afterwards  by  Bishop  Ileber,  an  appeal  was 
made  to  them  upon  this  subject.  Both  those  eminent  pre- 
lates concurred  in  considering  the  feelings  in  question  as 
partaking  more  of  a  civil  than  a  religious  nature,  and  in 
recommending  mutual  forbearance  and  kindness  to  the 
converts  ;  and  in  enjoining  on  the  missionaries  a  recur- 
rence to  the  principles  and  practice  of  their  admirable 
predecessor,  Swartz,  in  allowing  the  distinction  of  castes 
in  church  to  continue,  provided  that  due  care  were  taken 
to  teach  the  congregations  that  they  are  all  naturally,  and 
in  the  light  of  Christianity,  equal.* 

Early  in  the  year  1788,  in  a  letter  to  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  Swartz  notices  the  first 
payment  of  the  liberal  grant  from  the  East  India  Company 
towards  the  support  of  the  provincial  schools  already  es- 
tablished, and  his  appropriation  of  it,  as  he  had  proposed, 
to  the  schoolmasters  and  the  superintendents.  "I  desire," 
he  adds,  "nothing  of  it  for  myself;  although  I  shall 
readily  assist  as  long  as  I  am  able."  He  then  mentions 
in  the  most  satisfactory  terms,  the  abilities,  zeal,  and  in- 
dustry of  Mr.  I.  Kohlhoff,  his  new  colleague  in  the  mission. 
Respecting  the  congregation  at  Palamcotta,    concerning 

*  The  whole  subject  is  fully  discussed  in  the  Journal  of  Bishop 
Heber  vol.  ii.  p.  451,  and  in  his  Life,  vol.  ii.  pp.  222,  399. — Author. 

Bishop  Wilson  is  cxcrtinir  his  authority  to  put  an  end  to  the 
distinctions  of  caste  in  the  native  churches  of  India. — Am.  Ed. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  285 

which  inquiries  had  been  made,  he  replied,  that  it  con- 
sisted of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  persons,  many  of 
whom  were  inferior  traders,  some  artificers,  some  farmers, 
and  a  few  native  soldiers  or  sepoys,  all  having  their  re- 
spective employments,  and  none,  as  far  as  he  knew,  living 
upon  the  charity  of  others,  much  less  of  the  church.  The 
able  and  pious  catechist  Sattianaden,  was  proceeding  ex- 
cellently with  the  care  of  this  interesting  congregation. 
The  English  liturgy  was  translated,  and  used  regularly 
before  the  sermon.  The  following  very  interesting  letter 
occurs  in  this  year,  addressed  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duffin. 

"  Tanjore,  July  2,  1788. 

"  My  dear  Friends, — I  am  just  come  from  taking  my 

farewell  of  Mrs.  J. .     In  all  human  probability  I  have 

seen  her  for  the  last  time.  She  has  had  her  share  of 
sorrow.  May  we  meet  in  a  blessed  eternity,  where  sin 
and  sorrow  cannot  ainici  uo  any  more  !  As  there  is  sin 
in  us  in  this  worl<J,  there  is,  ano  mv^ct  of  r.nurse  be  sorrow. 
Nor  have  we  any  reason  to  complain  of  its  being  so,  smce 
sorrow,  if  well  managed,  will  produce  excellent  fruits. 
No  man,  unacquainted  with  grief,  ever  came  to  a  lively 
knowledge  of  himself  and  his  corruption  :  and  if  so,  how 
could  he  in  earnest  apply  to  Jesus  the  Redeemer,  hunger- 
ing and  thirsting  after  his  righteousness  ?  Not  knowing 
ourselves  and  our  corruption,  how  can  we  fervently  pray 
for  pardon,  or  for  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  In  short, 
I  believe  every  sincere  Christian  will  confess  with  David 
— '  Before  I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray  ;  but  now  I  keep 
thy  commandments.'  If,  then,  sorrow  and  affliction  are 
our  medicine,  let  us  take  from  the  hand  of  the  Lord  the 
cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  his  name  to  make  it  effec- 
tual to  our  amendment.  On  these  and  the  like  medita- 
tions you   both   jointly    with    Mr.  J will   dwell,  and 

comfort  yourselves  with  the  prospect  of  a  better  world. 
These  are  frequently  my  thoughts,  particularly  as  I  am  so 
near  my  end.  I  am  not  sick  ;  I  go  through  the  course  of 
my  duties;  but  when  alone,  I  groan  a  little,  yet  I  hope 
without  murmuring. 

"  I  intended  to  write  a  little  more,  but  a  sick  man  in 
the  hospital  sends  for  me,  wishing  to  hear  a  word  of  com- 
fort. Farewell,  my  dear  friends.  May  the  spirit  of  Jesus 
guide,  strengthen,  and  preserve  you  in  the  place  whither 


S}86  MEMOIRS  OF 

Providence  has  sent  you  !  If  God  be  with  you,  none  will 
be  able  to  hurt  you.  Only  take  care  to  walk  worthy  of 
the  gospel  you  profess.  Glorify  God  and  your  Redeemer, 
even  in  that  gay  place  to  which  you  now  belong. 

"  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Spirit  be  with  you! 
I  am,  till  I  see  you  before  the  throne  of  God,  your  affec- 
tionate friend,  C.  F.  Swartz." 

In  writing  to  one  of  the  same  excellent  persons  on  the 
12th  of  November  in  this  year,  Mr.  Kohlhoff  thus  ex- 
presses himself  respecting  him  whom  he  calls  his  "hon- 
ored godfather:  " 

"  Mr  Swartz  has  enjoyed  a  perfect  state  of  good  health 
by  the  mercy  of  God  since  I  last  wrote  to  you.  Though 
now  advanced  in  age,  it  is  surprising  how  a  gracious  God 
enables  him  to  go  through  a  great  deal  of  business.  Our 
heavenly  Father  uses  him  s^ui  as  a  blessed  instrument, 
not  only  for  tlip  onlargciuent  of  his  kiuijWnm.  but  for  the 
promoting  of  the  public  good.  At  present  there  are  thirty- 
five  of  the  natives  instructed,  who  will  soon  be  admitted 
into  our  church." 

A  few  days  afterwards,  Swartz  experienced  a  most  mer- 
ciful preservation.  He  had  risen  before  daylight,  and  sat 
down  on  a  seat  where  a  very  dangerous  serpent  lay;  but 
providentially  it  did  not  attack  him.  Its  bite  is  so  venom- 
ous, that  in  general  death  ensues  before  any  remedy  can 
be  applied. 

In  the  month  of  October  in  this  year,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Jcenicke,  who  had  been  recommended  to  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge  by  professor  Schultz  of 
Halle,  as  well  qualified  for  the  important  office  of  a  mis- 
sionary, arrived  at  Tanjore.  He  was  wisely  directed  to 
remain  for  a  time  with  Mr.  Swartz,  by  whose  admonitions 
and  example  it  was  the  express  wish  of  the  Society  that 
he  should  regulate  his  conduct. 

Of  the  new  missionary,  Swartz  wrote  early  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  to  the  Society  in  terms  of  high  approbation. 
He  soon  improved  in  the  English  language,  so  that  he  was 
able  to  read  prayers  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  congregation. 
In  learning  the  Tamul  language,  Mr.  Jcenicke  found  no 
difficulty.  The  New  'J'estament  he  was  able  to  read  in 
the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  and  it  was  expected  that  he 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  28^ 

would  soon  be  prepared  to  pursue  the  work  of  a  missionary 
in  that  language.  "  His  talents,"  he  observed,  "are  ex-' 
cellent;  but  his  heart,  temper,  and  conduct,  are  the 
principal  qualities  which  recommend  him  to  the  mission. 
May  he  become  'a  burning  and  a  shining  light'  to  this 
idolatrous  country  !  "  &  .'-l^^ 

Various  reasons,  partly  relating  to  the  concerns  of  the 
mission,  and  partly  to  some  painful  circumstances  of  a 
private  nature,  induced  Mr.  Swartz  in  the  month  of  De- 
cember to  visit  Madras.  He  was  absent  from  Tanjore 
about  two  months,  during  the  greater  part  of  which  time 
he  officiated  at  Madras,  preaching  every  Sunday  in  the 
English,  Tamul,  and  Portuguese  languages.  From  the 
mission  station  near  this  presidency,  at  the  head  of  which 
Mr.  Gericke  was  now  placed,  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Chambers. 
The  first  part  of  his  letter  relates  to  the  misconduct  of  an 
aged  missionary,  who  had  been  intrusted  with  large  sums 
of  money  belonging  chiefly  to  the  families  of  deceased 
Europeans,  which  he  had  in  various  ways,  but  it  may 
charitably  be  hoped  without  any  dishonest  intention,  im- 
providently  lent,  or  unwarrantably  employed  in  private 
speculations.  With  this  distressing  subject  Mr.  Chambers 
was,  in  common  with  Swartz,  officially  concerned.  Thus 
he  writes,  with  true  Christian  benevolence  and  piety. 

"  Vepery,  Jan.  11, 1789. 
"  My  dear  Friend, — 1  will  not  attempt  to  apologize  for 
my  silence.     I  could  not  answer  your  questions,  because 

Mr.  F either  would  not,  or  could   not,   give  me   an 

account  of  various  points  of  his  mal  administration.  Poor 
F.  lent  to  a  Polygar  a  large  sum,  and  the  bond  he  mort- 
gaged to  Mr. ,  whose  executors  retain  it  as  a  security 

for  money  which  F.  owed  to  him.  So  Mrs.  W.  and 
other  widows  and  orphans  have  lost  their  money. 

"  That   unhappy   man  lent   another   large   sum   to  the 

nabob's  son-in-law,  part  of  which  belongs   to   Mrs.  

».nd  the  rest  to  other  fiimilies.  I  have  written  to  Sir  Archi- 
bald Campbell  to  plead  the  cause  of  the  widow  and  the 
orphan,  and  to  persuade  the  nabob  to  acknowledge  the 
debt.  The  governor  and  his  lady  promised  to  befriend 
the  poor  ;  but  afterwards  they  sent  me  word  that  I  might 
go  to  the  nabob.  I  went  to  him  this  very  morning  ;  but 
heard  nothing  but  compliments.     His  eldest  son  promised 


MEMOIRS  OF 

to  acquaint  his  father  with  my  wishes ;  but  these  are 
'  verba,  prfetereaque  nihil.'  I  shall  give  a  power  of  attor- 
ney to  Mr.  Gericke ;  for  T  am  at  a  great  distance,  and 
cannot  run  to  Madras.  My  age  and  office  will  not  permit 
me  to  spend  so  much  time  in  vain.  I  have  felt  the  burthen 
of  an  executor.  I  never  thought  that  it  was  so  full  of 
vexation  and  trouble  ;  and  after  all,  it  is  well  if  one  be  not 
censured.  Whether  you  will  appoint  an  attorney  to  act 
in  your  stead,  I  leave  to  your  own  judgment. 

"  The  money  which  the  rajah  of  Tanjore  owed  to 
Colonel  Wood  is  now  put  into  the  list  of  his  private  debts. 
Whenever  a  dividend  is  paid  to  other  creditors,  Mrs.  W. 
will  receive  her  share  ;  so  that  the  executors  will  have  no 
trouble  but  that  of  taking  bills  upon  the  directors.  1  have 
now  done  with  this  business,  which  has  given  me  great 
trouble  and  uneasiness. 

"  The   poor  old   man   F is  at  present  in  prison. 

One  of  his  creditors  keeps  him  there.  I  have  visited  him 
thrice.     Think  what  I  felt! 

"  Mr.  Gericke  is  directed  to  remain  here.  I  entertain 
a  pleasing  hope,  that  things  will  from  this  time  proceed 
better.  I  believe  you  know  him.  He  is  a  sincere  Chris- 
tian— a  Nathanael,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile. 

"  I  have  been  here  above  forty  days.  To  complain  is, 
as  you  know,  to  no  purpose.  But  I  am  astonished  that 
men  should  forget  their  latter  end  to  such  a  degree. 
They  eat  and  drink,  and  rise  to  play.  I  have  asked  many 
of  them  what  they  will  think  when  all  these  things  are 
taken  from  them — a  dreadful  eternity  will,  no  doubt,  be 
theirs. 

"Blessed,  for  ever  blessed  be  God,  who  has  awakened 
us  to  consider  our  last  end,  and  rouseth  us  daily  to  be 
prepared  for  that  awful  event!  May  we  be  found  at  all 
times  in  Christ !  This  was  Paul's  prayer,  and  I  am 
certain  it  is  yours.  In  Christ  we  shall  be  justified,  and 
clothed  with  his  righteousness,  that  we  may  appear  before 
God  in  white  garments.  In  him  we  shall  obtain  strength 
to  die  to  tlie  world,  and  to  live  according  to  his  will  and 
his  example.  In  him  we  shall  enter  into  the  house  and 
kingdom  of  his  Father. 

"Gracious  God,  prepare  us  for  that  unspeakable  hap- 
piness ! 

"God  bless  you  and  Mrs.  Chambers,  and  your  whole 
family.     So  wishes  your  sincere  friend  and  servant." 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  289 

On  his  return  from  Madras,  Mr.  Swartz  visited  his. 
brethren  and  fellow-laborers  at  Cuddalore  and  Tranquebar, 
preached  to  their  congregations,  and  cheered  them  by  his 
conversation,  which,  as  they  observed,  "  they  alv/ays 
esteemed  a  blessing." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  written  in  the  course 
of  this  year  to  his  friend  Mrs.  Duffin  at  Madras,  evince 
his  animated  and  wakeful  piety,  and  illustrate  by  the  little 
details  of  familiar  correspondence  the  peculiar  sweetness 
and  benevolence  of  his  character. 

"  Tanjore,  Feb.  19,  1789. 
"  I  arrived  here  on  the  7th  instant,  having  had  a  very 
pleasant  journey.  Blessed  be  God,  who  has  preserved  me 
during  my  absence  from  Tanjore  1  So  we  go  from  place 
to  place,  till  our  pilgrimage  be  ended.  God  grant  that  at 
last  we  may  be  able  to  say  with  Paul,  '  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith.'  Let  us  watch  and  pray 
that  nothing  may  interrupt  us.  How  many  impediments 
lie  in  our  way  1  But  if  we  are  strengthened  by  the  Lord, 
all  will  be  well.     God  bless  you  and  all  that   are  in  your 

house,  particularly  Mr.   D .     Tell  to  give   her 

whole  heart  to  Jesus;  that  though  the  body  be  weak,  the 
spirit  may  be  strengthened  and  prepared  for  the  day  of 
Christ.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  be  with  all 
who  take  the  cross  of  Christ  upon  them  1  " 

"  Sept.  10. 

"  Though  I  have  not  written  to  you  these  last  few 
months,  I  have  not  forgotten  you.  No ;  I  remember  you 
and  your  family  often,  and  wish  that  you  may  prosper  in 
the  way  that  leadeth  unto  life  eternal. 

"  Here  we  are  under  apprehension  of  being  molested 
by  Ti|)poo.  He  has  collected  an  army  at  Dindegal. 
Colonel  Stuart  is  ordered  to  form  a  camp  at  Warriore  to 
be  in  readiness  if  Tippoo  should  commence  hostilities. 
We  are  but  ill  prepared  in  respect  of  provision.  And 
though  we  have  suffered  much  formerly  by  our  neglect, 
nothing  will  make  us  wiser.  And  as  it  is  in  that  respect, 
so  in  other  articles  likewise. 

"  But  oh,  if  God  were  with  us,  we  might  be  confident, 
trusting  in  his  Almighty  arm.  But  Him  and  his  word  we 
25 


290  MEMOIRS   OF 

disregard  shamefully,  as  if  we  needed  him  not.  However, 
we  are  in  his  hands,  to  save  or  to  chastise  us.  May  we 
seek  and  find  mercy  in  and  for  Jesus'  sake  ! 

"  I  hope  you  go  on  well  in  your  female  asylum,  where 
Mr.  Gericke,  as  I  understand,  has  the  inspection.  But  I 
cannot  learn  who  has  the  management  of  the  male  asylum. 

"  God  bless  you  and  us  all !  May  he  be  our  light  and 
salvation  in  all  circumstances!" 

"  Nov.  17. 

"  Your  last  letter  I  should  have  answered  much  sooner, 
had  I  not  waited  for  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  on  board  of 
which  you  had  sent  a  box  for  me,  and  two  pieces  of  cloth 

for   Mrs.   K .      I   showed   your    letter  to  her.      She 

wished  to  get  the  cloth  made  up  for  her  sons,  whom  she 
hoped  to  send  to  England.  I  believe  she  intends  to  con- 
duct them  to  Madras  next  month.  She  wishes  to  live  in 
your  neigliborhood,  as  she  is  anxious  to  be  retired.  With 
the  gay  world  she  has  nothing  to  do.  She  is  a  prudent 
mother,  and  her  children  are  very  agreeable,  having  been 
brought  up  in  obedience  to  their  parents,  and  in  the  fear 
of  God. 

"  Is  the   new  couple  in  your  house  ?     Do  they  rejoice 

your  heart  by  their  conduct  1     I  hope  you  and  Mr.  D ■ 

enjoy  tolerable  health ;  for,  knowing  your  frequent 
ailments,  I  will  not  express  it  in  stronger  terms.  I  have 
suifered  a  good  deal  from  a  wrench,  though  I  know  not 
when  and  where  I  got  it.  However,  all  is  for  our  benefit. 
These  things  put  us  in  mind  of  our  departure,  which  we 
must  expect,  and  for  which  we  are  to  prepare.  Oh,  what 
an  unspeakable  happiness  will  it  be,  to  be  free  from  sin, 
pain,  and  sorrow,  and  to  rejoice  in  the  presence  of  God 
and  all  his  children!  There  I  hope  I  shall  sing  the 
praises  of  God  and  our  Redeemer  with  you.  Till  then 
let  us  '  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,'  laying  hold  on  eternal 
life,  till  we  enjoy  it.  My  best  wishes  to  my  dear  friend, 
Mr,  D ,  and  all  your  household." 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  291 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Misgovernment  of  Ameer  Sing — Mr.  Petrie  sent  to  Tanjore — Com- 
plaint as  to  the  rajah's  treatment  of  Serfojee — Measures  consequent 
upon  it — Result  of  them — Letter  of  Swartz  to  the  governor  of 
Madras — His  letter  to  government  in  vindication  of  his  conduct, 
in  relation  to  Serfojee — Confidence  of  the  governor  and  council 
of  Madras  in  Mr.  Swartz. 

It  will  now  be  necessary  to  revert  to  the  public  affairs 
of  Tanjore,  and  the  conduct  of  the  new  rajah.  It  has 
been  already  stated,  that,  upon  his  accession  to  the  throne, 
the  government  of  Fort  St.  George  addressed  to  him  a 
letter  of  counsel  and  advice,  particularly  calling  his  atten- 
tion to  the  state  of  the  revenue,  and  to  the  administration 
of  justice  among  his  subjects.  Notwithstanding  this 
friendly  admonition,  it  appears  that,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  year  1788,  Mr.  Swartz  reported  to  the  government 
that  Ameer  Sing  was  managing  his  affairs  so  injudiciously, 
that  the  very  worst  consequences  were  to  be  expected  ; 
that  he  was  alienating  his  lands  in  an  extravagant  and 
improvident  manner  ;  that  he  entirely  neglected  the  ad- 
ministration of  justice  ;  and  that,  unless  some  means  were 
adopted  to  check  the  profusion  and  folly  of  the  rajah,  and 
of  his  sirkeel,  or  manager,  Shevarow,  the  most  ruinous 
results  were  to  be  apprehended. 

In  consequence  of  this  communication,  Mr.  Petrie, 
one  of  the  members  of  the  Madras  council,  proceeded  as 
commissioner  to  Tanjore,  and  Mr.  Swartz  was  requested 
to  render  him  the  assistance  which  his  knowledge  and 
influence  in  the  country  would  enable  him  to  afford. 
Mr.  Petrie's  first  object,  on  his  arrival,  was  to  procure 
the  dismissal  of  the  obnoxious  minister,  Shevarow  ;  but, 


292  MEMOIRS  OF 

failing  in  this,  he  persuaded  the  rajah  to  associate  with 
him  two  other  respectable  natives,  as  managers  of  the 
revenue,  who  should  become  responsible  to  the  Company 
for  the  payment  of  the  subsidy,  for  the  more  prudent 
administration  of  the  affairs,  and  for  the  allotment  of  a 
just  proportion  of  the  produce  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country.  It  was  also  agreed  that  Mr.  Svvartz  should  have 
the  superintendence  of  the  court  of  justice,  which,  in 
consequence  of  his  repeated  solicitations,  the  rajah  had 
consented  to  establish  at  Tanjore  ;  that  he  should  be 
made  acquainted  with  the  causes  which  came  under  the 
cognizance  of  that  court,  and  that  a  weekly  report  of  its 
proceedings  should  be  delivered  to  him,  which  he  should 
remit  to  the  British  resident,  whose  powers  were  enlarged, 
to  enable  him  effectually  to  secure  these  important  ends. 

By  these  judicious  arrangements,  considerable  advan- 
tages were  obtained,  both  in  the  more  regular  manage- 
ment of  the  revenue,  and  in  some  slight  appearance  of  a 
better  administration  of  justice  ;  but  these  improvements 
were  only  temporary,  and  were  unhappily  counteracted  by 
the  rajah,  and  his  favorite,  Shevarow. 

Besides  his  mal-administration  of  the  affairs  of  govern- 
ment, and  his  failure  in  the  stipulated  payments  to  the 
Company,  another  subject  of  complaint  against  Ameer 
Sing  about  this  time  arose,  which  cannot  be  belter  stated 
than  in  the  following  report  from  the  resident  to  the 
government  of  Madras  ; — 

"  I  lament  the  occasion  which  obliges  me  again  to 
address  you  on  the  treatment  shown  by  his  excellency  to 
Serfojee,  the  adopted  heir  of  the  late  rajah. 

"  Though  my  representations  to  you  on  this  subject 
have  been  no  less  frequent  than  forcible  ;  and  tliough 
your  admonitions,  in  consequence,  to  the  rajah  have  been 
such  as  the  situation  of  the  boy  demanded  ;  those  admo- 
nitions have  not  been  attended  with  the  desired  effect. 

"In  addition  to  the  knowledge  Mr.  Svvartz  and  myself 
have  of  the  boy's  situation,  the  widows  of  the  late  rajah 
have  stated  the  condition  in  which  he  is  held,  and  have 
called  upon  me,  as  representative  of  the  honorable  Com- 
pany here,  to  procure  for  him  that  protection  which  has 
hitherto  been  refused  him  by  the  present  rajah. 

"  He  remains  still  deprived  not  only  of  all  education, 
but  also  of  free  air,  exercise,  and  attendance.      There 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  293 

being  no  prospect  of  a  favorable  change  in  his  situation, 
humanity  induces  me  to  hope  that  some  effectual  mode  of 
interposition  may  suggest  itself  to  you,  by  which  the  boy 
may  receive  the  protection  he  so  well  merits  from  the 
justice  of  the  honorable  Company. 

"I  beg  leave  to  add,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swartz  (whom 
Tuljajee,  on  his  dealh-bed,  appointed  guardian  to  Serfojee) 
might,  with  propriety,  be  constituted  the  judge  of  his  con- 
dition ;  and  while  he  approved  of  the  treatment  shown  by 
his  excellency,  the  child  would  be  secure  of  every  pro- 
tection the  honorable  Company  could  desire  to  obtain 
for  him." 

On  this  communication,  the  following  minute  was 
recorded. 

"  The  board  approve  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Macleod 
respecting  the  appointing  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swartz  guardian 
to  the  adopted  son  of  the  late  rajah  of  Tanjore  ;  and  it  is 
accordingly  agreed  that  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  letter  be 
sent  to  Mr.  Petrie,  and  that  he  be  desired  to  pay  every 
attention  to  the  subject  contained  in  it." 

In  consequence  of  this  recognition  of  Mr.  Swartz,  as 
guardian  of  the  adopted  son  of  the  late  rajah,  he  had 
access  to  him  from  time  to  time,  and  acquainted  the  resi- 
dent with  his  state  ;  who,  in  a  letter  to  the  government 
secretary,  dated  12th  of  August,  17S9,  reported  it  as 
follows  : — 

"  You  will  be  pleased  to  acquaint  the  honorable  the 
President  and  Council,  that  on  the  Sth  inst.  Mr.  Swartz 
and  myself  had  an  interview  with  the  adopted  son  of  the 
late  rajah.  He  appeared  to  be  in  good  health,  though  a 
gloom  hung  upon  his  countenance.  His  place  of  con- 
finement is  spacious,  though  I  believe  he  is  never  permit- 
ted to  come  out  of  it.  He  told  us,  upon  inquiry,  that  he 
had  no  masters  given  him  to  instruct  him,  complained 
of  his  confinement,  and  wished  to  go  to  the  house  of  his 
mother, — so  he  calls  the  widow  of  the  late  rajah. 

"  I  had  before  told  Shevarow,  that  at   least  he  should 

be  permitted   to  have  the  exercise  of  riding  within  the 

walls  of  the  palace.     Shevarow's  answer  was,  that  he  had 

repeatedly,  but  in   vain,   recommended   it  to  the   rajah. 

25* 


/«£■■ 


294  MEMOIRS  OF 

But  it  is  much  to  be  doubted  whether  he  would  say  any 
thing  so  much  against  the  rajah's  inclinations." 

On  the  receipt  of  this  letter  the  governor  addressed 
one  to  the  rajah,  which  contained  the  following  paragraph; 
and  the  resident  was  directed  to  observe  the  treatment  of 
Serfojee. 

"  1  have  been  informed  that  the  adopted  son  of  the  late 
rajah  is  kept  by  your  excellency  under  close  confinement, 
and  deprived  of  the  means  of  an  education  suitable  to  his 
rank  and  condition.  This  I  think  proper  to  mention  to 
your  excellency,  not  doubting  that  you  will  order  him  to 
be  set  at  liberty,  and  allow  him  free  access  to  his  adopted 
mother,  and  the  other  branches  of  his  family  ;  that  proper 
care  may  be  taken  of  his  education,  and  that  his  health 
may  not  suffer  by  confinement. 

"  To  a  friend,  what  can  I  say  more  1 " 

In  September  1789,  the  resident  presented  the  gov- 
ernor's letter  to  the  rajah,  at  an  interview,  of  which  he 
made  the  following  report  to  the  government. 

"  His  excellency  appeared  to  be  much  moved  with  what 
I  said  respecting  the  treatment  due  to  the  adopted  son 
of  the  late  rajah,  which  he  considered  as  an  interference 
in  his  domestic  arrangements.  He  affirmed  that  the  boy 
had  proper  clothes,  food,  and  medical  assistance,  when 
he  wanted  it,  and  was  better  treated  by  his  excellency 
than  he  himself  had  been  by  his  brother,  the  late  rajah. 
Nevertheless,  that  the  English  had  not  interfered  with  the 
late  rajah,  to  alleviate  his  confinement  ;  that  the  boy  had 
a  schoolmaster,  but  was  of  an  obstinate  disposition,  and 
disinclined  to  learn.  And  here  he  produced  a  man,  whom 
he  called  a  schoolmaster,  who  confirmed  his  account.  But 
as  this  was  in  the  presence  of  the  rajah  and  Shevarow, 
no  great  dependence  can  be  placed  on  his  report." 

On  the  25th  of  September,  the  governor  of  Madras 
wrote  the  following  letter  to  the  rajah. 

"  To  his  excellency,  the  rajah  of  Tanjore. 
"  Many  complaints  having  been  made  to  me  that  Serfo- 
jee, the  adopted  son  of  the  late  rajah,  is  not  only  treated 
with    much    severity,    but  that    his   education  is   totally 


*i 


THE   REV.   C.  F.  SWARTZ.  295 

neglected  ;  which  being  contrary  to  those  liberal  senti- 
ments of  equity  and  justice  which  the  honorable  Company 
are  ever  desirous  to  promote  and  inculcate,  1  have  been 
induced  to  intercede  in  his  behalf.  Your  excellency  will 
be  pleased  to  allow  him  to  occupy  a  separate  dwelling, 
contiguous  to  that  of  his  adopted  mother,  the  widow  of  the 
late  rajah,  free  from  every  restraint  of  his  person  ;  as  it  is 
proper  that  he  should  be  permitted  to  see  his  adopted 
mother,  and  to  visit  or  receive  visits  from  his  other  rela- 
tions, without  any  obstruction  or  hinderance,  whenever  he 
thinks  proper.  1  have  accordingly  directed  that  he  shall 
be  allowed  a  small  guard  of  Company's  sepoys  to  attend 
on  his  person  ;  and  1  most  earnestly  recommend  it  to  your 
excellency  to  treat  him  with  kindness,  and  to  discourage 
every  species  of  oppression  towards  him  or  the  widows  of 
the  late  rajah,  either  in  their  persons  or  property. 
"  To  a  friend,  what  can  I  say  more  ?  " 

On  the  5th  of  October,  the  resident  advised  the  gov- 
ernment that  he  had  endeavored  to  obtain  an  interview 
with  the  rajah,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  the  above 
letter,  which  the  rajah  had  evaded  on  liie  plea  of  sickness; 
that  on  Sunday  Mr.  Swartz  declined  to  act  as  interpreter; 
and  that  on  the  following  day  the  rajah  again  declined  to 
grant  an  audience,  on  the  plea  of  illness.  The  presenta- 
tion of  the  letter  was  therefore  deferred  ;  but  the  resident 
proposed,  under  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  that  a 
house  which  was  next  door  to  that  of  Serfojee's  mother 
should  be  fitted  up,  and  that  he  should  be  removed  from 
the  palace,  and  placed  in  that  house.  The  government 
approved  this  proposal,  and  directed  that  it  should  be 
immediately  carried  into  effect. 

Of  the  subsequent  proceedings,  the  following  report  was 
transmitted  to  the  Madras  government  a  few  days  after- 
wards, by  Mr.  Ram,  who  had  succeeded  Mr.  Macleod,  as 
resident  at  Tanjore. 

"  Having  obtained  an  interview  with  the  rajah,  I  found 
Shevarow  present  as  usual.  I  stated  that  I  was  informed 
it  was  by  his  counsel  that  Serfojee  was  continued  in  con- 
finement, notwithstanding  the  repeated  admonitions  of 
government,  and  the  positive  promise  of  his  excellency  to 
Mr.  Petrie,  that  he  should  be  released  in  eight  months  ; 


296  MExMOIRS  OF 

that  I  now  came  to  deliver  a  more  explicit  order  upon  that 
head  ;  a  compliance  with  which  1  must  earnestly  recom- 
mend to  his  excellency,  not  only  as  the  mandate  of  this 
presidency,  but  as  the  earnest  wish  of  the  English  in  gen- 
eral ;  for  that  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  having  set  aside 
the  adoption  of  Serfojee,  in  favor  of  his  excellency's  better 
title  to  the  musnud  of  his  late  brother,  the  English  must, 
in  consequence,  consider  themselves  as  in  honor  bound  to 
protect  him  from  every  degree  of  oppression. 

"  The  rajah  acknowledged  his  promise  to  Mr.  Petrie, 
and  affirmed  that  it  had  been  his  design  to  find  out  a  suit- 
able match  for  Serfojee,  that  he  might  be  married  at  the 
same  time  with  his  own  son-in-law,  after  which,  he  allowed 
the  present  restraint  would  be  improper,  but  was  now 
agreeable  to  their  customs  ;  that  the  mother  of  the  boy 
(by  adoption)  had  herself  objected  to  a  match  proposed  by 
him,  on  the  plea  that  the  parties  were  too  young,  which 
had  prevented  his  carrying  his  intentions  into  effect,  as 
he  had  proposed  to  Mr.  Petrie  ;  that,  however,  in  six 
months  more  he  would,  without  fail,  accomplish  them; 
that  in  the  mean  time  it  would  be  highly  repugnant  to 
their  customs  for  a  youth  of  Serfojee's  age  to  visit  the 
apartment  of  the  widow  of  the  late  rajah  ;  that  if  I  doubted 
any  part  of  what  he  now  affirmed,  I  might,  if  I  thought 
proper,  have  an  opportunity  of  conversing  with  the  widow, 
she  being  concealed  from  my  sight.  To  this  I  replied, 
that  I  could  never  conceive  it  agreeable  to  their  customs 
to  confine  their  children  in  a  place  where  they  could  not 
have  the  free  benefits  of  light  and  air;  that,  therefore,  it 
was  highly  necessary  that  Serfojee  should  be  placed  in 
the  house  mentioned  in  the  honorable  president's  letter, 
which  I  understood  had  been  built  by  the  late  rajah  pur- 
posely for  his  accommodations',  that  if  his  visiting  the 
widows  of  the  late  rajah  was  repugnant  to  their  customs, 
I  could  not  suppose  those  ladies  would  suffer  it ;  and 
without  their  permission  it  would  he  impossible  for  him  to 
see  them. 

"  The  conference  running  to  a  great  length,  the  rajah 
requested  I  would  excuse  him  for  the  present,  but  allow 
Mr.  Swartz  to  come  to  the  palace  the  next  day  ;  by  which 
time,  having  considered  what  I  had  said,  he  would  com- 
municate his  sentiments  to  him.  To  this  I  readily  con- 
sented, imagining  that  a  less  embarrassed  communication 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  297 

of  sentiments,  which  would  take  place  when  Mr.  Swartz 
only  was  present,  would  be  more  likely  to  prevail  on  the 
rajah  to  comply  with  the  sentiments  of  the  honorable  pres- 
ident, and  placing  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  good  mis- 
sionary's discretion  and  zeal  for  the  service.  Yesterday 
evening  the  conference  took  place  ;  and  the  following  is 
Mr.  Swartz's  communication  of  it  to  me,  immediately  after 
his  return  from  the  palace. 

"  The  rajah  began,  of  his  own  accord,  on  the  subject 
of  Serfojee,  and  gave  the  strongest  assurances  that  in  a 
very  short  time  he  would  so  act  as  to  give  entire  satisfac- 
tion ;  and  that  we  being  on  the  spot,  should  be  witnesses 
and  judges  of  it.  Mr.  Swartz  then  observed  that  it  must 
be  by  releasing  Serfojee  from  the  present  dark  and  dismal 
place  of  his  confinement,  to  which  the  rajah  assented,  but 
declined  being  more  particular,  repeating  his  assurances 
that  he  was  certain  we  should  be  satisfied  with  his  con- 
duct. With  respect  to  Shevarow,  he  affirmed  that  he  had 
been  calumniated,  and  hoped  that  he  would  be  able  to 
clear  himself  to  my  satisfaction.  I  had  given  a  short 
memorandum  to  Mr.  Swartz,  of  the  points  1  wished  to  be 
satisfied  on — one  of  which  was,  to  obtain  information  re- 
specting a  late  grant  from  the  rajah  of  a  considerable 
district  to  his  son-in-law;  on  the  impropriety  of  which,  at 
a  time  when  he  could  not  pay  his  kists  (instalments)  to 
the  Company,  I  desired  him  to  remark.  The  rajah  ad- 
mitted that  he  had  made  such  a  grant,  but  defended  it  on 
the  ground  that  a  similar  provision  had  been  allowed  for 
the  son-in-law  of  the  late  rajah. 

"  Notwithstanding  that  Mr.  Swartz  appeared  to  place 
some  confidence  in  the  above  assurances  of  the  rajah  re- 
specting Serfojee,  I  must  own  they  appear  to  me  rather 
evasive,  and  calculated  to  gain  time  ;  but  of  that  the 
honorable  board  will  be  more  capable  of  judging." 

About  a  week  after  the  preceding  communication,  the 
resident  received  an  order  from  the  governor  of  Madras  to 
remove  Serfojee  from  the  immediate  control  of  the  rajah  ; 
of  his  execution  of  which  the  following  is  his  official  report. 

"  I  shall  proceed  to  relate  the  steps  by  which  the  situa- 
tion of  Serfojee  has  been  so  considerably  altered  for  the 
better.  The  letter  of  Mr.  Chamier  of  the  16th,  arrived 
about  noon ^  on  the  20th.     I  requested  an  interview  with 


298  MEMOIRS  OF 

his  excellency  for  the  day  following,  which  being  granted, 
I  repaired  to  the  palace,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Stuart 
and  Mr.  Swartz.  Having  desired  that  Serfojee  might  be 
brought  into  our  presence,  which  was  with  some  difficulty 
complied  with,  (the  rajah  apprehending  that  he  might 
charge  him  with  neglect  of  his  education  to  his  face,)  I 
took  the  youth  by  the  hand,  and  having  declared  your 
orders  that  he  should  be  removed  from  the  palace,  I  was 
proceeding  to  conduct  him  out,  but  was  prevented  by  the 
violent  agitation  of  the  rajah,  who  took  hold  of  my  other 
hand,  and  of  my  clothes,  conjuring  me  not  to  disgrace 
him  so  much  in  the  sight  of  his  people.  I  endeavored  to 
make  his  excellency  comprehend  that  the  step  I  was 
taking  was  for  his  own  reputation,  which  suffered  by  the 
treatment  hitherto  observed  towards  Serfojee.  It  would 
be  needless  to  repeat  all  that  passed  during  a  couple  of 
hours.  The  rajah  at  length  finding  me  resolved,  either  to 
take  the  boy  out  of  the  palace,  or  to  place  him  under  the 
protection  of  the  Company's  sepoys  within,  after  affirming 
that  the  proper  house  could  not  be  prepared  for  him  under 
seven,  then  three  days,  and  at  last  by  the  next  day,  most 
solemnly  promised  that  it  should  be  done  ;  upon  which  I 
retired,  leaving  Serfojee  under  the  protection  of  Mr. 
Swartz,  near  to  whom  it  was  settled  he  should  sleep  for 
that  night. 

"  The  next  morning  he,  for  the  first  time  since  his  con- 
finement, saw  the  sun  !  Between  eight  and  nine  I  re- 
turned to  the  palace,  and  about  eleven  we  were  joined  by 
Colonel  Stuart ;  about  one,  having  notice  that  the  house 
was  nearly  cleaned  out,  and  Serfojee's  furniture  removed 
there,  with  the  rajah's  consent,  who  did  not  appear,  I 
conducted  him  to  it,  and  placed  a  guard  of  twelve  sepoys 
of  the  23d  over  him.  I  have  ordered  a  proper  person, 
recommended  by  Mr.  Swartz,  a  Mahratta  Brahmin,  named 
Dadarow,  to  attend  to  his  education,  which  has  been  en- 
tirely neglected,  he  not  being  acquainted  even  with  the 
alphabet.  The  person  before  mentioned  has  likewise 
been  instructed  to  prevent  such  discourse  being  held  in 
his  presence  as  might  tend  to  put  ambitious  thoughts  into 
his  head,  upon  his  present  enlargement.  Serfojee  express- 
ed his  gratitude  for  the  favor  shown  him,  and  was  desired 
by  me  to  send  his  acknowledgments  to  the  rajah  for  his 
ready  compliance  with  your  orders.     The  admitting  of 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  299 

sepoys  to  this  part  of  the  palace  was  long  disputed.  On 
the  evening  of  the  21st,  the  rajah  requested  that  my  peons 
might  be  stationed  in  lieu  of  them  ;  but  this  appearing  to 
me  as  very  insufhcient  security,  I  persisted  in  my  first 
position,  and  having  sent  for  the  sepoys  the  next  day,  no 
further  objection  was  made. 

"Mr.  Swartz  was  of  opinion  that  after  what  had  passed, 
Serfojee  ought  to  have  his  provisions  furnished  by  the 
rajah's  widows,  to  which  his  excellency  has  made  no  kind 
of  objection.  Indeed  I  understand  that  having  been 
taken  under  the  protection  of  the  Qompany,  his  food  may 
be  provided  by  any  one  he  chooses. 

"  Mr.  Swartz  is  likewise  of  opinion  that  a  discontinu- 
ance of  the  guard  would  be  attended  with  some  risk  to 
the  person  of  Serfojee. 

"  The  house  in  which  he  now  is,  has  been  somewhat 
encumbered  by  buildings  since  the  time  of  the  late  rajah. 
It  is,  however,  pleasantly  situated,  and  has  a  small  garden 
adjoining. 

"  I  have  great  hopes  that  the  enlargement  of  the  boy 
being  thus  effected,  will  remove  the  improper  influence 
which  Shevarow  had  obtained  over  the  rajah,  by  persuad- 
ing him  that  whilst  his  excellency  adhered  to  his  counsels, 
the  release  of  Serfojee  would  never  be  effected." 

In  the  month  of  February,  1790,  the -resident,  in  an- 
nouncing to  the  governor  in  council  at  Fort  St.  George, 
the  arrival  of  despatches  from  the  Court  of  Directors,  very 
favorable  to  the  interests  of  the  rajah  of  Tanjore,  sub- 
mitted to  the  board,  whether  it  might  not  be  proper  to 
take  that  opportunity  of  urging  upon  his  excellency  the 
performance  of  his  promise  to  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  to 
reform  the  administration  of  justice,  but  which  had  been 
entirely  forgotten  or  neglected  since  his  inauguration. 

"  The  good  Mr.  Swartz,,"  the  resident  observes,  "  hav- 
ing frequently  lamented  the  mischiefs  which  are  daily 
happening  for  want  of  a  regular  system  of  justice,  (with 
that  knowledge  which  his  long  acquaintance  with  the  lan- 
guage and  manners  of  the  country  has  given  him,)  has 
favored  me  with  his  thoughts  upon  that  important  subject, 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose.  The  want  of  such 
regulations  are  daily  before  my  eyes.  Any  man  in  the 
Tanjore  country  (who  has  the  power)  ties  up  and  tortures 
whomsoever  he  pleases,  on  the  most  frivolous  pretences." 


300  MEMOIRS   OF 

Of  these  acts  of  oppression  and  injustice,  the  resident 
then  mentions  some  gross  instances,  which  clearly  proved 
the  inability  of  the  rajah  himself,  under  the  present  corrupt 
system,  to  restrain  and  punish  such  atrocities.  The  letter 
from  Mr.  Swartz  to  the  governor  in  council,  referred  to 
by  the  resident,  is  as  follows: — 

"  Hon.  Sir,  and  Gentlemen, — Permit  me  humbly  to 
address  you,  in  behalf  of  this  country,  of  which  you  are 
constituted  guardians  and  defenders,  and  in  whose  pros- 
perity or  distress  you  ^re  concerned. 

"Every  government  is  to  be  supported  by  a  rational 
administration  of  justice,  without  which  both  king  and 
subjects  cannot  prosper.  This  proposition  needs  no  proof, 
being  self-evident.  All  nations  confirm  it,  at  least  in 
theory ;  experience,  nay  all  history,  gives  us  the  strongest 
proof,  that  a  country  without  justice  is  a  ruined  country. 

"  When,  some  years  ago,  the  spirit  of  despotic  cruelty 
drove  the  people  to  despair,  the  late  rajah  promised  to 
alleviate  the  burthens  of  his  people,  and  to  introduce  a 
better  administration  of  justice.  And  as  the  people,  so 
often  deceived  and  oppressed,  entertained  strong  doubts 
of  the  truth  of  this  noble  and  exhilarating  promise,  he 
empowered  me  to  publish  it  in  writing,  and  to  become 
responsible  for  the  accomplishment  of  it.  The  people 
rejoiced,  returned  from  their  emigration  to  their  own 
country,  set  about  the  cultivation  with  a  wonderful  ardor, 
though  it  was  very  late  in  the  season,  so  that  many  were 
afraid  of  a  famine  ;  and  by  their  cheerful  exertions,  were 
blessed  with  a  very  rich  crop. 

"The  late  rajah  soon  after  this  died.  Before  his  suc- 
cessor was  seated  on  the  throne,  I  entreated  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell  to  benefit  the  country  by  introducing  a  better 
administration  of  justice.  Fully  convinced  of  the  pro- 
priety of  my  request,  he  desired  me  to  draw  up  a  plan  by 
which  this  might  be  accomplished  according  to  the  laws 
of  the  Hindoos. 

"  1  obeyed  this  command  with  all  possible  cheerfiilness, 
representing  to  myself  the  beneficial  effects  which  the 
country  would  from  hence  experience.  But  on  one  point 
I  entertained  an  opinion  which  differed  from  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell's  sentiments.  He,  out  of  delicacy,  thought  it 
proper  to  let  the  present  rajah  have  the  honor  of  establish- 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  301 

ing  such  a  court  of  judicature.  I  represented  to  him  that 
without  derogating  from  the  good  will  of  the  rajah,  so 
many  ill-disposed  people  would  surround  him,  and  hinder 
an  institution,  beneficial  indeed  to  the  country,  but 
diametrically  opposite  to  their  self-interested  views,  that 
the  whole  plan  would  be  soon  laid  aside.  On  the  other 
hand,  if,  during  the  interregnum,  such  a  court  of  justice 
should  be  established,  and  by  the  English  government 
protected  and  encouraged,  as  might  easily  be  done,  it 
would  succeed  and  prosper.  But  Sir  A.  Campbell  thought 
otherwise.  The  plan  was  recommended  to  the  rajah 
after  he  was  seated  on  the  throne,  but  was  soon  strongly 
opposed  at  the  instigation  of  his  servants. 

"A  faint  show,  indeed,  was  made.  A  small  house  was 
appointed,  where  four  judges  should  hear  causes.  It  was 
at  first  open,  but  soon  a  cross  wall  was  built,  so  that  none 
could  observe  the  proceedings. 

"  One  or  two  of  the  judges  had  a  laudable  desire  to  act 
impartially  ;  but  their  good  intentions  were  frustrated  by 
the  servants  of  the  rajah.  The  judges  were  obliged  to 
wait  for  leave  to  hear  a  law-suit.  When  they  had  got 
permission,  and  hardly  had  begun  to  inquire  into  the 
business,  they  frequently  were  interrupted  by  messages 
from  the  rajah's  servants.  They  were  desired  not  to  go 
on.  Particularly  those  dubashes  who  had  lent  money  to 
the  rajah,  acted  as  masters.  They  had  the  power  of  con- 
fining and  punishing  people,  and  whoever  was  supported 
by  them,  let  his  cause  be  never  so  unjust,  came  off  victo- 
rious— of  all  which  unjust  proceedings,  whole  volumes 
might  be  written.  If  an  inquiry  should  be  set  on  foot,  many 
instances  would  fully  prove  the  total  want  of  justice  in  this 
country.  One  man  was  supported  by  Chinnia  Moodely, 
(a  powerful  money-lender.)  The  injustice  of  his  inter- 
fering was  so  glaring  to  the  judges,  to  the  rajah  and  his 
minister,  that  Shevarovv  said,  '  What  can  I  do  when 
Chinnia  intercedes  for  the  unjust  party  V  Another  inhab- 
itant was  prosecuted  by  Chinnia ;  he  retired  with  many 
others  to  Karikal,  but  got  the  rajah's  cowl,  at  Mr.  Ram's 
request,  to  come  and  speak  for  himself  He  came,  was 
acquitted,  and  went  home.  Chinnia  hearing  this  at 
Madras,  sent  a  letter  ordering  that  person  to  be  confined 
and  beaten,  and  even  now  he  is  still  under  confinement. 
The  sirkeel  promised  to  release  him,  but  being  afraid  of 
26 


302  MEMOIRS  OF 

Chinnia's  resentment,  did  not  think  it  proper  to  accomplish 
his  promise. 

"  The  judges  feeling  their  own  want  of  power,  entreated 
the  rajah  to  permit  them  to  retire,  because  their  endeavors 
to  do  justice  became  totally  useless. 

"  This  being  the  injurious  method  of  acting,  the  inhab- 
itants became  disheartened  and  unwilling  to  go  on  vig- 
orously in  the  cultivation.  Last  year  many  promises 
were  made  to  them,  but  never  fulfilled.  Those  given  by 
the  late  rajah  before  his  decease,  are  totally  disregarded. 
Before  the  inhabitants  reap,  they  are  obliged  to  pay  a  part 
of  their  tribute  ;  having  no  money,  they  go  to  the  rapacious 
dubashes  to  borrow  at  exorbitant  interest ;  not  being  able 
to  pay  it,  that  is  added  to  the  original  sum,  and  a  new 
premium  is  often  charged.  When  Air.  Petrie  was  here, 
an  order  was  issued  that  none  should  pay  more  than 
twelve  per  cent,  per  annum,  but  soon  disregarded.  No 
country,  though  the  most  fertile,  is  able  to  bear  such 
oppressions. 

"  And  as  no  relief  is  to  be  e.xpected  from  hence,  it 
would  be  the  highest  benefit  which  government  could 
bestow  on  this  oppressed  country,  if,  without  lessening  the 
authority  of  the  rajah,  it  should  privately  insist  upon  the 
introduction  of  justice  in  a  regular  manner,  before  the 
alleviation  made  by  the  honorable  Company  was  published. 
It  would  then  rejoice  the  rajah,  and  the  inhabitants,  if 
both  points,  viz.  the  kindness  of  the  honorable  Company 
to  the  rajah,  and  his  kindness  in  establishing  a  court  of 
justice,  were  published  at  the  same  time. 

"  As  the  late  rajah  appointed  me  guardian  to  Serfojee, 
the  young  boy  whom  he  adopted,  and  as  government  con- 
firmed it  by  enjoining  me  to  watch  over  his  welfare,  I  take 
the  liberty  to  entreat  the  honorable  board  to  settle  his 
establishment.  The  first  act  done  by  taking  him  out  of 
the  miserable  situation  in  which  he  was,  is  very  great.  To 
procure  to  him  a  suitable  settlement  will  complete  his 
temporal  happiness.  The  rajnh  does  not  seem  to  be  very 
willing  to  do  that  business  of  his  own  accord. 

"  Having  nothing  in  view  but  the  happiness  of  the  rajah 
and  his  country,  and  the  honor  of  the  Company,  both 
which  would  undoubtedly  be  promoted  by  a  regular  and 
impartial  administration  of  justice,  I  hope  that  the  hon- 
orable board  will  not  disapprove  of  this  my  liberty  which 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SVVARTZ.  303 

I  have  humbly  taken  of  addressing  them.  Being  in  the 
country,  under  the  protection  of  tlie  English  government, 
1  wish  and  pray  for  their  welfare.  And  lest  this  my  ad- 
dress might  appear  as  a  clandestine  business,  I  have  sent 
it  by  Mr.  Ram,  our  resident  here. 

"  I  am,  with  profound  respect,  &c.  &c." 

In  the  month  of  June,  the  government  of  Fort  St. 
George  was  informed,  that  Chinrjia  Moodcly  was,  by  his 
agents,  oppressing  the  inhabitants  of  a  district  in  Tanjore 
to  such  an  e.xtent,  as  would  speedily  lead  to  its  depopula- 
tion. 

Mr.  Swartz  was,  in  consequence,  desired  to  ascertain 
the  facts.  He  accordingly  sent  a  confidential  hircarrah, 
who  reported  that  the  principal  inhabitants  had  left  the 
place,  and  were  gone  into  the  nabob's  country ;  that 
Chinnia  Moodely  had  recalled  a  polygar,  who  had  been 
expelled  by  Baba  for  robberies;  and  that  this  man  had 
been  again  let  loose  on  the  district,  and  was  committing 
depredations  on  the  inhabitants  ;  that  a  Portuguese,  with 
an  armed  force,  had  been  employed  in  the  work  of  op- 
pression ;  that  there  was  then  no  sign  of  cultivation,  and 
that  the  banks  and  water-courses  were  out  of  repair. 

In  the  following  month,  the  rajah  was  reported  to  be  in 
ill-health,  and  admitted  no  person  to  his  presence,  except 
Mr.  Swartz,  who  obtained  an  audience,  and  delivered  to 
him  a  letter,  which  had  been  written  to  him  by  the  gov- 
ernment, complaining  of  the  mal-administration  of  the 
rajah's  servants,  and  calling  for  the  payment  of  his  kists; 
which  latter  were,  after  some  discussion,  paid  in  part.  It 
was  at  this  time  proposed  to  the  rajah,  with  a  view  to  the 
reform  of  his  administration,  and  the  peace  of  the  country, 
to  place  the  collection  of  the  revenue  in  the  hands  of  the 
East  India  Company. 

In  August  1790,  in  consequence  of  the  conduct  of 
Mr.  Swartz  in  the  recovery  of  Serfojee  from  the  oppressive 
custody  of  the  rajah  having  been  the  subject  of  animad- 
version, he  laid  before  the  government  a  narrative  of  the 
proceedings  respecting  that  important  measure;  and 
though  they  have  been  previously  detailed,  some  circum- 
stances relative  to  the  situation  of  the  young  prince,  and 
to  his  own  interference  in  his  behalf,  are  added  in  his 
letter  to  Mr.  Chamier,  on  this  occasion,  which  deserve  to 
be  recorded. 


304  MEMOIRS   OF 

After  relating  the  history  of  the  rajah  Tuljajee's  adoption 
of  a  son,  his  request  to  him  to  be  his  guardian,  his  advice 
to  the  rajah  to  appoint  his  brother,  his  a-ccession  to  the 
throne,  on  the  setting  aside  of  Serfojee,  and  the  cotnplaints 
of  Ameer  Sing's  severe  treatment  of  him,  Mr.  Swartz 
thus  proceeds : — 

"  An  order  having  come  from  government  to  Mr.  Ma- 
cleod,  and  I  think  to  Colonel  Stuart,  to  inquire  into  the 
treatment  which  the  boy  had  met  with,  both  gentlemen 
sent  me  to  the  palace  to  see  him  ;  whom  I  found  in  a  dark 
room,  a  lamp  burning  at  his  side,  and  no  fresh  air  could 
reach  it.  When  I  saw  him  thus,  I  felt  a  grief  which  I 
can  hardly  express.  With  amiable  simplicity,  he  asked 
me  whether  the  children  in  Europe  were  deprived  of  see- 
ing the  sun  and  the  moon.  1  comforted  him.  I  then 
inquired  whether  he  had  any  master  to  teach  him  reading 
and  writing.  Shevarow,  who  was  present,  said  imme- 
diately, *  Yes,  yes,  he  has  a  man  to  teach  him  !'  I  asked 
the  boy  ;  who  replied,  in  the  presence  of  Shevarow,  '  I 
have  none  to  teach  me ;  therefore  I  do  not  know  one 
letter.' 

"Government  ordered  me  frequently  to  visit  him,  and 
to  inquire  how  he  was  kept.  But  I  have  not  been  able  to 
do  so  above  five  or  six  times ;  because  I  could  not  get 
permission. 

"  For  two  years,  I  entreated  the  rajah,  privately,  and 
often  in  the  presence  of  Shevarow,  to  show  kindness  to 
the  innocent  boy  ;  to  give  him  a  room  where  there  was  a 
circulation  of  air  ;  not  to  be  jealous  of  him  ;  assuring  him 
that  he  could  do  him  no  harm;  that  if  he  would  show 
some  kindness  to  him,  and  let  him  sometimes  enjoy  fresh 
air,  all  complaints  would  cease." 

Mr.  Swartz  then  mentions  the  ineffectual  admonition  of 
Sir  Archibald  Campbell  to  the  rajah,  and  his  own  repeated 
entreaties  upon  this  subject ;  and  finally  details  the  pro- 
ceedings consequent  upon  the  order  of  Governor  Holland, 
by  which  Serfojee  was  rescued.  In  this  part  of  his  narra- 
tive, the  following  passage  occurs,  which  illustrates  his 
calm  fearlessness  in  the  fulfilment  of  what  he  conceived 
to  be  his  duty,  and  the  inviolable  integrity  of  the  excellent 
missionary. 

"  The  rajah  desired  that  Mr.  Ram  might  wait  some  (I 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  305 

think  ten)  days.  He  said,  'I  must  obey  the  order,  and 
put  the  boy  under  a  sepoy  guard  ! '  The  rajah  at  last 
said,  '  Mr.  Swartz,  stay  you  here  with  the  boy  this  night, 
that  the  sepoys  may  not  be  called  into  this  interior  part  of 
the  palace  !'  1  asked  Mr.  Ram  and  the  colonel  what  I 
should  do.  They  said  that  '  it  depended  upon  me ;  but 
that  they  were  content  with  my  staying  with  the  boy ! ' 
I  accordingly  consented  to  stay.  Mr.  Ram  and  the 
colonel  went  away.  The  rajah,  Shevarow,  and  myself, 
were  alone.  I  then  said,  'This  uneasiness  his  excel- 
lency oweth  to  you,  Shevarow.  You  intended  to  ingra- 
tiate yourself  by  those  cruel  severities  which  you  made 
the  boy  to  suffer.  How  often  have  I  begged  you  to  de- 
sist ;  how  often  have  I  told  you,  that  the  honorable  Com- 
pany, and  the  English  nation,  to  whose  protection  the 
boy  was  delivered  by  the  late  rajah,  in  the  presence  of 
Mr.  Hudleston,  Colonel  Stuart,  and  me,  would  not  suffer 
those  severities?'  Shevarow  said,  '  You  have  told  us  all 
this,  but,'  &c.  The  rajah  then  observed,  'As  you  are  our 
friend,  why  did  you  not  this  very  morning  send  me  word 
that  such  an  order  had  been  sent  to  Mr.  Ram  ?'  I  replied, 
'  Ten  days  ago  I  entreated  you  to  prevent  the  present 
uneasiness;  and  that  was  an  act  of  friendship.  But  to 
give  you  notice  of  government's  letter,  after  it  had  been 
confidentially  cotnmunicated  to  the  colonel  and  me,  would 
have  been  treachery,  which  your  excellency  must  never 
expect  from  me.' 

"  The  rajah  and  Shevarow  then  told  me,  I  might  go 
home.  Astonished  at  this  proposition,  'What!'  said  I, 
*  to  become  guilty  of  a  breach  of  faith  1  Even  my  father 
should  not  be  permitted  to  make  such  a  proposal  !'  Upon 
this  declaration,  they  left  me  with  precipitation  ;  and  I 
remained  with  the  poor  boy  that  night,  who,  as  I  observed, 
walked  as  if  he  was  lame.  I  inquired  the  reason  of  it. 
'  I  have  not,'  said  he,  '  been  able  to  sleep,  but  have  been 
sitting  clasping  my  hands  about  my  knees,  on  account  of 
the  innumerable  insects  in  my  room.  My  sinews  are  a 
little  contracted,  but  I  hope  I  shall  soon  recover.'  The 
next  day  he  was  conducted  to  his  new  apartment  by 
Colonel  Stuart  and  Mr.  Ram.  The  indignities  which 
were  then  offered  to  him,  I  will  not  minutely  relate  ;  but 
they  all  showed  the  high  degree  of  the  rajah's  jealousy. 
"  A  brahmin,  who  formerly  taught  Mr.  Burke,  and 
26* 


306  MEMOIRS   OF 

afterwards  Mr.  Blackburne,  the  Mahratta  language,  was 
appointed  (by  my  recommendation)  to  teach  him  reading 
and  writing.  His  excellency's  letter  says,  that  my  servants 
were  employed  lor  that  purpose.  But  the  writer  of  that 
letter  knew  that  the  brahmin  had  never  been  my  servant. 
The  boy  has  made  a  good  use  of  the  opportunity  given 
to  him.  He  reads  and  writes  the  Mahratta  language, 
and  is  very  willing  to  learn  English.  The  letter  says, 
that  Mr.  Ram  visited  the  boy,  and  that  I  accompanied 
him  ;  which  is  true.  1  inquired  how  he  improved  in 
learning,  and  admonished  the  brahmin  not  to  be  remiss  in 
teaching  him  ;  which  I  thought  was  quite  agreeable  to  the 
late  rajah's  desire." 

In  September,  Mr.  Swartz  appears  to  have  been  the 
active  intermediate  agent  between  the  government  and 
the  rajah,  relative  to  the  adjustment  of  the  revenue 
accounts. 

In  this  month,  it  was  considered  to  be  necessary,  for 
the  security  of  the  Company's  interests,  to  assume  the 
management  of  the  revenues  of  Tanjore  ;  against  which 
the  rajah  protested,  and  appealed  to  the  Court  of  Directors. 
It  appears  that,  in  the  whole  of  the  proceedings,  Mr. 
Swartz  was  consulted,  as  noticed  by  Messrs.  Ram  and 
Fallofield,  the  resident  and  collector,  in  the  following  para- 
graph of  a  letter,  dated  the  28th  of  September  1790. 

"The  Rev.  Mr.  Swartz  was  consulted,  agreeably  to  the 
Board's  orders,  upon  every  material  step  we  have  hitherto 
taken  ;  a  line  of  conduct  we  shall  continue  invariably  to 
pursue." 

It  is  important  to  add,  that  the  rajah  himself,  in  his 
correspondence  with  the  government,  expressed  a  decided 
preference  to  Mr.  Swartz,  as  the  medium  of  communica- 
tion between  them. 

On  the  '24th  of  the  same  month,  the  government  directed 
Messrs.  Ram  and  Fallofield  to  transmit  their  sentiments  as 
to  the  provision  which  should  be  made  for  Serfojee,  and 
for  the  mother  and  widows  of  the  late  rajah,  in  order  that 
steps  might  be  taken  to  establish  a  liberal  and  permanent 
allowance  for  their  support ;  adding, 

"  You  are,  upon  this  and  upon  all  occasions,  to  avail 
yourselves  of  the  knowledge  and  experience  of  Mr.  Swartz, 
and  to  consult  with  him  freely  ;  as  his  known  probity  and 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  307 

love  of  justice  entitle  him  to  every  attention  on  tlie  part 
of  government." 

An  establishment  was  accordingly  formed  pursuant  to 
his  recommendation,  amounting  to  one  thousand  and 
seventy-seven  star  pagodas  monthly  for  Serfojee  and  his 
relatives,  and  one  thousand  star  pagodas  each  to  the  three 
widows  of  the  deceased  rajah. 

The  confidence  reposed  in  the  venerable  missionary 
was  unbounded  ;  an  additional  instance  of  which  was 
shortly  afterwards  afforded,  in  consequence  of  the  con- 
tinued objections  of  Ameer  Sing  to  the  allowances  fixed 
by  the  government  for  the  family  of  the  late  rajah.  It  was 
at  length  resolved,  that  "  if  his  excellency  persist  in  his 
refusal  to  receive  those  allowances,  they  should  be  ad- 
vanced by  the  collectors  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swartz,  and  by 
him  be  distributed  to  the  parties  concerned." — A  more 
honorable  proof  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  this  ex- 
cellent man  was  held  by  the  English  government,  can 
scarcely  be  imagined,  and  it  is  almost  needless  to  add  how 
justly  it  was  deserved. 


308  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Letters  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  and  to 
several  friends — Progress  of  Mr.  Joenicke — School  at  Cumbago- 
nam — Renewal  of  the  war  with  Tippoo — Ordination  of  Sattiana- 
den — His  Sermon  on  that  occasion — He  is  sanctioned  by  the 
Society — Visit  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cammerer — His  Cliaracter  of 
Mr.  Swartz — Extracts  from  his  Journal  for  1791 — Letters  to 
friends. 

In  acknowledging  the  arrival  of  the  annual  stores  sent 
out  by  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge, 
Swartz,  in  a  letter  dated  the  10th  of  January,  1790, 
gratefully  observes,  that  he  and  his  brethren  had  reason 
to  adore  the  mercy  of  God,  and  to  say,  "  Hitherto  the 
Lord  has  guarded,  guided,  and  protected  us."  Mr. 
Kohlhoff  had  assisted,  him  faithfully  in  the  church,  and 
in  the  schools,  and  Mr.  Jcenicke  had  made  amazing 
progress  in  learning  the  English  and  Taniul  languages. 
The  catechists  and  schoolmasters  at  Tanjore  and  at  Pa- 
lamcotta,  amounted  to  ten.  Their  salaries,  the  charge  of 
supporting  the  schools,  the  repairs  of  old  houses  and  the 
building  of  new  ones,  and  the  extraordinary  allowances 
to  the  catechists  when  sent  to  distant  places,  were  such, 
he  states,  that  were  it  not  for  his  salary  from  the  East 
India  Company,  it  would  be  impossible  to  defray  all  the 
necessary  expenses. 

In  a  second  letter  of  the  same  date,  after  again  advert- 
ing to  the  promising  advancement  of  Mr.  Joenicke  in  the 
Tamul  language,  Mr.  Swartz  adds,  that  the  sermons  com- 
posed by  this  diligent  student  were  corrected  by  himself; 
but  that  in  a  short  time  he  would  stand  in  no  need  of 
such  assistance.    "  It  would  then,"  he  said,  "  be  necessary 


TftE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  309 

to  determine  upon  the  station  for  his  missionary  labors, 
whether  at  Madras  or  at  Palamcotta,  where  the  congrega- 
tion was  considerably  increasing.  In  that  quarter  he 
thought  more  success  would  be  experienced,  as  the  people 
there  had  less  connection  with  Europeans.  On  the  other 
liand,  Mr.  Gericke  at  Madras  much  needed  assistance, 
which,  however,  he  hoped  would  be  afforded  by  the 
Society  soon  sending  out  another  missionary.  Should 
God  call  him  away,"  he  observes,  "  Mr.  Gericke  would 
then  reside  at  Tanjore,  and  Mr.  Kohlhoff  go  to  Palam- 
cotta, or  they  might  alternately  be  at  each  place.  These 
speculations,  however,  he  humbly  submitted  to  the  deter- 
mination of  divine  Providence.  They  had  then,"  he  said, 
"  no  comfortable  prospect  before  them ;  being  apprehen- 
sive that  the  poor  country  would  experience  another  de- 
vastation ;  though  it  had  scarcely  begun  to  lift  up  its  head 
from  the  ravages  occasioned  by  the  last  war." 

In  this  letter  Swartz  communicates  his  intention  of 
establishing  a  provincial  school  at  Cumbagonam,  one  of 
the  principal  places  in  Tanjore.  A  very  good  spot  had 
been  granted  to  him  by  the  rajah,  and  he  had  begun 
to  lay  the  foundation  of  the  building  which  he  intended 
to  be  used  as  a  place  of  divine  worship.  Whether  the 
war  they  were  dreading  would  prevent  his  proceeding 
with  the  work,  a  short  time  would  show. 

The  intention  thus  announced,  as  to  an  additional 
school,  was  soon  afterwards  fulfilled,  as  appears  by  the 
following  extracts  from  a  letter  to  Mr.  Pasche,  dated  July 
21,  1790,  in  which,  among  other  useful  and  interesting 
matter,  he  first  mentions  the  design  of  ordaining  his  pious 
and  excellent  catechist,  Sattianaden. 

"  God  has  graciously  strengthened  me  hitherto,  so  that 
I  have  been  enabled  to  do  my  work  both  among  Christians 
and  heathens.  Meanwhile,  I  feel  the  approaches  of  age, 
being  near  the  completion  of  my  sixty-fourth  year  ;  but 
as  long  as  I  live,  and  have  any  strength  left,  I  shall  gladly 
take  my  share  in  the  work. 

"  In  order  to  relieve  the  missionaries,  I  intend  to  ordain 
one  of  the  native  catechists  of  the  name  of  Sattianaden, 
whose  upright,  disinterested,  serious  walk  and  conversa- 
tion, flowing  from  sincere  attachment  to  Christ,  has  at- 
tracted the  notice  of  Mr.  Joenicke,  and  really,  as  to  my 
own  feelings,   I   cannot  but  esteem  this  native  teacher 


310  MEMOIRS  OF 

higher  than  myself.  He  has  a  particular  talent  in  con- 
versing with  his  countrymen.  One  of  the  principal  labors 
of  a  missionary  ought  to  be  to  train  up  young  natives  for 
future  catechists.  Whenever  1  meet  with  a  promising 
youth,  I  spare  neither  pains  nor  expense  to  qualify  him 
for  the  work. 

"I  have  built  a  school  house  at  Cumbagonam,  which 
has  been  attended  with  considerable  expense.  Such 
schools  are  the  very  best  means  of  communicating  the 
knowledge  of  the  word  of  God,  not  to  the  young  people 
only,  but  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  at  large.  They 
may  serve  as  a  place  of  residence  for  catechists  of  the 
higher  castes,  who  may  proclaim,  both  in  town  and 
country,  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel.  Several  Malabar 
youths  afford  the  pleasing  hope,  that  in  due  time  they  will 
become  useful  assistants  in  our  congregations,  as  well  as 
in  our  schools. 

"  If  God  shall  favor  us  with  skilful  native  teachers, 
his  work  will  prosper  in  this  country.  We  still  live  in 
hope.  The  difficulties  are,  indeed,  neither  few  nor  small; 
but  to  sink  under  them  would  be  sinful.  God  has  re- 
moved many  an  obstacle  during  my  forty  years'  sojourn 
in  this  land  ;  and  he  who  has  hitherto  been  with  us,  will 
be  so  in  future.  He  commanded  Joshua  to  be  'strong  and 
of  good  courage;'  and  the  same  charge  is  applicable  to 
us.  The  eyes  of  many  of  the  heathen  are  opened  ;  but 
the  cross  which  is  connected  with  the  profession  of  Chris- 
tianity is  to  most  a  stumbling-block. 

"  With  respect  to  the  proposition  to  establish  a  village 
entirely  inhabited  by  Christians,  I  have  always  entertained 
the  apprehension,  and  likewise  expressed  it,  that  in  the 
event  of  any  commotion,  such  a  village  would  be  imme- 
diately burned  down.  On  the  other  hand,  when  there 
are  some  Christian  families  residing  in  a  village,  the  whole 
district  may  become  acquainted  with  the  counsel  of  God 
for  their  salvation." 

In  the  same  month  he  wrote  as  follows  to  his  kind  and 
valued  friends  at  Madras.  The  close  of  his  letter  contains 
a  striking  expression  of  the  deep  humility  of  this  eminent 
servant  of  God. 

"  Tanjore,  July  28, 1790. 

"  My  dear  Friends, — It  is  now  a  good  while  since  I  sent 
you  a  line.     Nay,  I  have   been  so  lazy  as  to  neglect  to 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  31 J 

thank  Mr.  Duffin  for  the  excellent  book  lie  sent  me. 
I  have  perused  those  'Chinese  Fragments'*  carefully, 
and  am  sorry  that  all  is  but  too  true.  May  these  melan- 
choly truths  lead  many  to  repentance  ! 

"  The  17th  of  July  I  finished  my  fortieth  year  of  pil- 
grimage here  in  this  country,  as  I  arrived  July  17,  1750. 
How  many  thousand  benefits  have  I  received  from  a  mer- 
ciful God  !  How  grateful  I  ought  to  have  been  !  But 
alas  !  I  must  say,  '  Forgive,  forgive  all  my  multiplied  ini- 
quities, for  the  sake  of  Jesus.'  Indeed,  my  dear  friends, 
our  salvation  consists  in  being  pardoned.  May  we  all 
be  able  to  say,  as  Paul  did,  '  We  have  obtained  mercy.' 
Amen,  be  it  so  !  God  bless  you  both  in  all  respects.  This 
is,  and  shall  be,  the  sincere  wish  of  your  most  obedient 
servant  and  friend." 

War  had  now  again  commenced  between  the  ambitious 
successor  of  Hyder  Ali  and  the  British  Government  in 
India,  as  Swartz  had  anticipated  ;  and  to  this  event  he 
alludes  in  the  following  letter  to  one  of  the  same  excellent 
friends  at  the  close  of  this  year.  The  elevated  piety  which 
it  breathes,  cannot  but  be  edifying. 

"  Tanjore,  Dec.  3, 1790. 
"  Dear  Madam, — We  are  all  tolerably  well.  The  country 
people  complain  of  want  of  rain  ;  besides,  they  come  into 
the  fort  by  hundreds  and  thousands  on  account  of  Tippoo's 
horse.  About  Trichinopoly  the  villages  are  burnt,  and 
many  of  the  people  wounded.  How  much  have  those  poor 
inhabitants  suffered  !  It  is  said  that  General  Meadows  is 
at  Caroor.  If  this  be  true,  the  enemy  at  Samiaburam  will 
not  long  remain  in  his  present  condition, 

"  The  poor  people  had  hardly  begun  to  breathe  after 
the  last  destructive  war.  Now  they  are  again  in  constant 
terror.  But  still  they  will  not  acknowledge  the  hand  that 
strikes  them. 

"  How  happy  are  they  who,  from  their  infancy,  have 
been  brought  up  in  the  knowledge  of  truth  ;  for  I  find  that 
those  who  have  been  educated  in  idolatry  and  error,  shake 
off  their  error  and  superstition  with  great  difficulty.     Ig- 

*  By  the  late  Ely  Bates,  Esq.,  the  elegant  author  of  "  Rural 
Philosophy." 


312  MEMOIRS   OF 

norance  and  wickedness  hinder  them.  But  a  wicked 
Christian  knows  at  least  the  way  to  happiness  ;  and  there- 
fore has  but  one  hinderance  to  overcome — namely,  his  evil 
course.  But  unspeakably  happier  are  those  who  have 
been  awakened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  turn  to  him  who 
is  the  source  of  happiness;  who  look  upon  sin  as  poison, 
and  all  worldly  things  as  dross,  (which  is  unable  to  make 
them  happy,)  in  order  to  win  Christ,  and  to  be  found  in 
him. 

"  If  we  win  Christ  and  his  atonement,  we  surely  possess 
the  greatest  gain — pardon  of  sins,  peace  of  mind,  and 
hope  of  everlasting  life.  The  conveniences  which  worldly 
things  afford  us,  are  not  to  be  compared  to  these  divine 
blessings. 

"  If  we  are  found  in  Christ  as  branches  in  a  vine,  we 
shall  derive  from  him  blessings  of  every  kind,  and  strength 
to  grow  in  all  Christian  virtues.  In  him  we  are  preserved, 
cheered,  comforted  at  all  times,  in  sickness  and  health,  in 
life  and  in  death.  O,  may  we  be  found  in  him  even  at 
the  day  of  judgment ! 

"  May  the  peace  of  God  reign  in  your  heart  at  all  times! 
This  peace  will  preserve  you." 

The  renewal  of  the  war  with  Tippoo  excited  considera- 
ble alarm  at  Tanjore,  and  some  apprehensions  were  en- 
tertained of  an  attack  from  the  Mohammedan  troops. 
This  danger  was,  however,  happily  averted,  by  the  Eng- 
lish army  under  Lord  Cornwallis  entering  Mysore  ;  and 
the  missionaries  continued  to  discharge  their  peaceful 
duties  without  interruption. 

Early  in  the  year  1791,  Swartz  informed  the  Society  of 
the  accomplishment  of  his  intention  respecting  the  ordina- 
tion of  Sattianaden.  Previous  to  that  time,  the  missiona- 
ries at  Tranquebar  permitted  one  of  their  country  priests 
occasionally  to  visit  Palamcotta ;  but  as  one  of  them  died, 
and  the  other  became  an  invalid,  the  English  missionaries 
thought  it  expedient  to  confer  their  Lutheran  ordination 
on  one  of  their  own  native  catechists,  who  had  performed 
the  functions  of  that  subordinate  office  for  many  years, 
and  had  given  ample  proofs  of  ability  and  faithfulness. 
Accordingly,  on  the  2Gth  of  December,  1790,  Sattianaden 
received  ordination  at  the  hands  of  the  missionaries,  ac- 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  313 

cording  to  the  rites  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  one  of  the 
congregations  of  the  mission  connected  with  the  Society, 
on  the  coast  of  Coromandei.  On  this  interesting  occasion, 
he  delivered  a  sermon  in  the  Malabar  or  Tamul  language, 
an  English  translation  of  which,  by  Mr.  KohlhofF,  Swartz 
transmitted  to  this  country. 

The  Society  justly  deeming  a  production  so  extraordi- 
nary, worthy  of  being  generally  known,  directed  it  to  be 
published*  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  members  at  large, 
"  in  order  to  evince  the  capacity  of  the  natives  for  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  as  an  evidence  that  the  efforts 
of  their  missionaries  in  India  had  not  been  in  vain  ;  but 
that  the  work  of  God  was  advancing,  and  the  light  of  the 
gospel  spreading  through  those  regions  of  darkness  and 
idolatry." 

This  Sermon  of  Sattianaden  is  certainly  a  very  remark- 
able composition.  That  it  was  his  genuine  production,  is 
attested  by  Swartz  himself,  who  was  incapable  of  affirming 
any  thing  but  the  strictest  truth.  It  is  founded  on  that 
striking  and  encouraging  declaration  of  the  prophet  Eze- 
kiel,  chap,  xxxiii.  11,  "  As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  I 
have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  the 
wicked  turn  from  his  way  and  live  :  turn  ye,  turn  ye,  from 
your  evil  ways,  for  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel  ?  " 
From  this  instructive  and  affecting  passage,  the  pious 
Hindoo  considered  the  gracious  offers  of  divine  mercy  to 
all  mankind  ;  the  inestimable  blessings  of  divine  forgive- 
ness and  grace  which  they  comprise  ;  and  the  method  of 
obtaining  th«m  by  repentance  and  faith  in  Jesus  Christ. 
In  the  discussion  of  these  important  points,  he  evinced 
much  sound  scriptural  knowledge,  together  with  great  per- 
spicuity and  strength  of  thought ;  and  notwithstanding  the 
disadvantage  of  a  translation,  which,  though  scrupulously 
faithful,  inadequately  expressed  the  force  and  beauty  of 
the  original,  a  simple  and  tender  strain  of  eloquence  per- 
vades the  whole,  which  powerfully  accredits  the  sincerity 
of  its  author,  and  sufficiently  proved  his  qualifications  for 
the  office  of  a  Christian  teacher. 

The  necessity  so  deeply  felt,  and  so  continually  urged, 
by  the  English  missionaries,  of  additional  fellow-laborers, 

*  It  is  contained  at  length  in  the  Abstract  of  the  Society's  Reports, 
pp.  325 — 356,  and,  togetlier  with  the  prayers  before  and  after  the 
sermon,  well  deserves  perusal. 

27 


314  MEMOIRS   OF 

and  the  imporlance  of  investing  pious  and  well  qualified 
natives  with  tiie  ministerial  character,  led  even  at  this 
period  to  the  conviction,  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  friends 
of  the  mission,  of  tiie  expediency  of  some  measure  for  ae* 
curing  episcopal  ordination  ;  nor  would  any  one  have  more 
cordially  rejoiced  in  such  a  provision  for  the  spiritual  wants 
of  India  than  Suartz,  who  having  been  himself  episcopally 
ordained,  would  have  hailed  with  delight  the  establishment 
of  our  apostolical  church,  which  has  since  been  so  happily 
planted  in  India.  Fjr  the  present,  he  was  contented  to 
supply  the  increasing  want  of  laborers,  particularly  in  the 
South  of  the  Peninsula,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  by  the 
discipline  of  the  Lutheran  church  ;  and  in  the  instance  in 
question  nothing  could  be  more  judicious  and  successful 
than  his  choice  of  Sattianaden  as  a  native  teacher.  That 
sincere  and  zealous  convert,  as  soon  as  he  had  received 
ordination,  returned  to  Palamcotta,  where  he  had  been 
before  so  usefully  and  diligently  employed.  "  God,"  ob- 
serves Mr.  KohlhofT,  in  mentioning  this  pleasing  event, 
"  has  already  blessed  the  labors  of  this  worthy  man,  in 
awakening  many  to  turn  from  their  sins  unto  him  ;  and 
no  doubt  is  entertained  of  his  proving  a  favored  instrument 
in  the  hands  of  the  Almighty  for  the  enlargement  of  his 
kingdom  upon  earth," 

With  equal  wisdom  and  kindness  the  Society  for  Pro- 
raoiing  Christian  Knowledge,  directed  their  secretary  to 
address  a  letter  to  Sattianaden,  assuring  him  of  their  sanc- 
tion and  support,  and  encouraging  him  to  fidelity  and 
diligence  in  ihe  ministry  which  he  had  recently  received. 
This  was  translated  by  Swartz,  and  afforded  the  native 
pastor  inexpressible  joy. 

Sattianaden,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Joenicke,  thus  beautifully 
refers  to  his  own  conversion  to  the  faith  of  the  gospel. 

"  When  1  contemplate  the  ways  of  God,  by  which  he 
led  me,  I  am  full  of  admiration  and  praise.  I  was  once 
a  heathen,  who  did  not  know  him;  and  he  called  me  by 
his  faithful  servant  Mr.  Swartz.  This  my  venerable  father 
received  and  instructed  me.  His  exertions  by  day  and 
by  night,  tended  to  bring  me  to  repentance  towards  God, 
and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  produce  in  me 
fruits  meet  for  repentance,  to  induce  me  to  lead  a  godly 
and  holy  life,  and  to  grow  in  knowledge,  and  in  every 
grace  and  virtue.     He   did    not   destine   me   to  worldly 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  315 

business,  but  appointed  me  to  bring  my  nation  to  the 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  Jesus  Christ,  whom  he  sent  to 
redeem  the  world.  In  consequence,  he  gave  me  the 
office  of  a  catechist,  and  used  his  utmost  endeavors  to 
bring  me  to  a  more  extensive  knowledge.  And  likewise 
you,  sir,  exerted  yourself  to  correct  my  errors  and  my 
failings,  encouraged  me  to  grow  in  godliness,  and  en- 
deavored to  make  me  more  and  more  useful  and  happy. 
Should  I  be  saved,  which,  trusting  in  the  mercy  of  God, 
I  hope  to  be,  it  will  be  a  glory  to  you  ;  and  even  though  I 
should  be  lost,  (which  God  forbid!)  my  damnation  cannot 
diminish  your  glory.  Now,  to  crown  the  pious  exertions 
of  my  much  esteemed  teachers,  the  honorable  Society  has 
approved  your  proceedings,  and  confirmed  me  in  the 
higher  office  committed  to  me  ;  a  benevolence  which  I 
shall  never  forget.  May  God  grant  me  a  truly  humble 
mind  !  May  he  make  me  acceptable  to  himself,  diligent 
in  the  performance  of  every  duty,  useful  in  my  generation, 
and  obedient  to  him  and  my  superiors!" 

Early  in  the  following  year,  in  writing  to  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  Mr.  Swartz  gratefully 
acknowledges  that,  though  past  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his 
age,  he  had  great  reason  to  bless  God  for  the  preservation 
of  his  health,  and  for  having  been  enabled  to  persevere  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty  ;  that  eighty-seven  heathen  con- 
verts had  been  baptized  in  the  course  of  the  preceding 
year,  the  greater  part  of  whom  were  cultivators  of  fields, 
a  few  miles  from  the  Fort,  and  that  houses  were  intended 
to  be  built  for  their  convenient  attendance  upon  divine 
service.  He  observes  that  Mr.  Joenicke,  who  was  settled 
at  Palarncotta,  was  much  delighted  with  the  good  conduct 
of  the  several  congregations,  which  had,  since  his  resi- 
dence there,  received  an  addition  of  sixty-five  members; 
and  a'dds,  that  there  are  some  really  pious  people  in  the 
Fort  also.  He  then  mentions,  that  he  had  lately  received 
a  visit  from  Mr.  Cammerer,  the  new  missionary  at  Tran- 
quebar,  who  had  remained  with  him  three  months,  study- 
ing the  Tamul  language,  and  whom  he  believed  to  be  an 
upright,  sincere  Christian,  who  would  diligently  do  the 
work  of  an  evangelist.  He  expresses  his  hope  that  an 
end  would  soon  be  put  to  the  war,  and  that  a  more  open 
field  would  thus  present  itself  for  the  labors  of  mission- 
aries.    "Would  to  God,"  he  continues,  "that  some  la- 


316  MEMOIRS   OF 

borers  could  be  sent  to  work  in  it!  I  am  sure  that  some 
gentleman  here  would  assist.  Government  would  not 
suffer  by  it,  but  rather  experience  the  benefit  of  seeing 
the  people  instructed.  This  I  could  show  by  undeniable 
proofs,  and  government  would  confirm  it." 

Of  the  visit  thus  mentioned  from  the  new  Tranquebar 
missionary,  Mr.  Cammerer  himself  gives  the  following 
particulars  ;  which  will  be  found  scarcely  less  interesting 
than  the  early  sketch  of  Mr.  Swartz's  character,  by  Mr. 
Chambers;  and,  in  some  respects,  remarkably  coincident 
with  that  striking  fragment. 

"Tanjore,"  he  writes  to  his  friends  in  Germany,  "is  a 
large  fortified  town,  which  underwent  considerable  repairs 
after  its  occupation  by  the  English.  Yet  the  streets  re- 
mained dirty  and  disagreeable,  and  the  place  was  very  un- 
healthy during  the  rainy  season.  This  induced  Mr. 
Swartz  to  select  a  piece  of  ground  of  considerable  dimen- 
sions, at  the  distance  of  about  two  miles,  which  he 
cultivated  and  formed  into  a  garden,  where  he  erected 
several  houses,  and  a  small  church.  In  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  this  garden,  the  native  Christians  settled,  and 
he  lives  amongst  them  like  a  father.  My  stay  at  Tanjore 
was  to  have  been  limited  to  the  25th  of  October,  my 
presence  being  much  wanted  by  the  Tranquebar  brethren; 
but  Mr.  Swartz  wished  for  an  extension  of  the  time,  being 
desirous  that  I  should  make  considerable  progress  in  the 
Malabar  tongue;  and  it  so  happened  that  the  rains  this 
season  were  more  violent  than  was  ever  recollected  by  the 
oldest  inhabitants.  I  could  not,  in  consequence,  return, 
without  endangering  my  life.  Under  these  circumstances, 
my  residence  with  that  excellent  man  was  delayed  until 
the  14th  of  December. 

"Nothing  could  possibly  afford  me  more  lively  satisfac- 
tion than  the  society  of  Mr.  Swartz.  His  unfeigned  piety, 
his  real  and  conscientious  attention  to  every  branch  of  his 
duties,  his  sincerity, — in  short,  his  whole  demeanor  filled 
me  with  reverence  and  admiration.  He  treated  me  like  a 
brother,  or  rather  like  a  tender  parent,  and  instructed  me 
in  the  most  agreeable  manner  in  the  Malabar  language. 
The  same  did  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  who  is  meekness  and  humility 
itself.  Many  an  evening  passed  away,  as  if  it  had  been 
but  a  single  moment,  so  exceedingly  interesting  proved 
the  conversation  of  this  truly  venerable  man,  and  his  re- 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  317 

lations  of  the  singular  and  merciful  guidance  of  God,  of 
which  he  had  experienced  so  many  proofs  throughout  his 
life,  but  particularly  during  the  dreadful  wars  in  India. 
The  account  he  gave  of  the  many  dangers  to  which  his 
life  had  been  exposed,  and  the  wonderful  manner  in  which 
it  was  often  preserved,  his  tender  and  grateful  affection 
towards  God,  his  fervent  prayers  and  thanksgivings,  his 
gentle  exhortations  constantly  to  live  as  in  the  presence  of 
God,  zealously  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  entirely  to  resign 
ourselves  to  God's  kind  providence — all  this  brought  many 
a  tear  into  my  eyes,  and  I  could  not  but  ardently  wish 
that  I  might  one  day  resemble  Swartz.  His  disinterested- 
ness, his  honorable  manner  of  conducting  public  business, 
procured  him  the  general  esteem  both  of  Europeans  and 
Hindoos.  Every  one  loved  and  respected  him,  from  the 
king  of  Tanjore  to  the  humblest  native. 

"  Nor  was  he  less  feared;  for  he  reproved  them,  without 
respect  to  situation  and  rank,  when  their  conduct  deserved 
animadversion;  and  he  told  all  persons  without  distinction, 
what  they  ought  to  do,  and  what  to  avoid,  to  promote  their 
temporal  and  eternal  welfare.  The  king  frequently  ob- 
served, that  in  the  world  much  was  effected  by  presents 
and  gold,  and  that  he  himself  had  done  much  by  those 
means ;  but  that  with  Padre  Swartz  they  answered  no 
purpose.  This  excellent  man  often  told  nie,  that-the  favor 
of  God,  and  communion  with  Christ,  was  of  greater  value 
to  him  than  'thousands  of  gold  and  silver.'  Certainly, 
by  the  goodness  of  God,  he  has  been  made  a  great  blessing 
to  this  country.  What  other  men  could  not  effect  without 
a  military  force,  he  has  done  by  the  personal  influence 
which  he  possessed  over  the  people,  and  which  arose  ex- 
clusively from  his  integrity  and  sincere  piety. 

"  A  few  miles  from  Tanjore,  two  brahmins  enticed  a 
child  of  rich  parents,  splendidly  adorned  with  gold  and 
precious  stones,  into  their  pagoda,  where  they  put  him  to 
death.  The  government  of  Madras  desired  Mr.  Swartz 
to  investigate  this  horrid  deed.  He  accordingly  examined 
the  murderers  in  the  king's  palace,  and  brought  them  to 
confess  the  crime.     They  were  afterwards  executed: 

"  While  on  a  visit  at  Cumbagonam,  Mr.  Swartz  con- 
versed with  a  brahmin  who  had  considerable  landed 
property,  entreating  him  with  much  affection  to  turn  to 
the  true  God.  A  few  weeks  afterwards,  we  heard  that  he 
27* 


318  MEMOIRS  OF 

had  died,  and  that  his  wife  was  burned  alive  with  his 
corpse.  Although  this  happens  less  frequently  than  for- 
merly, yet,  in  many  instances,  it  takes  place,  and  that 
from  two  motives:  one  is  superstition;  the  poor  widow 
believing  that  she  shall  attain  to  a  higher  degree  of  hap- 
piness alter  death  :  the  other  is  the  fear  of  being  despised 
by  her  relations,  in  case  she  should  not  manifest  an  affec- 
tion sufficiently  strong,  to  devote  herself  to  the  funeral 
pile  with  her  husband.  When  Mr.  Swartz  learns  before- 
hand that  such  an  inhuman  sacrifice  is  about  to  take 
place,  he  exerts  his  utmost  influence  to  prevent  it ;  and 
in  these  endeavors  he  has  often  succeeded. 

"  His  garden  is  filled  from  morning  till  late  in  the 
evening  with  natives  of  every  rank,  who  come  to  him  lo 
have  their  differences  settled  ;  but,  rather  than  his  mission- 
ary duties  should  be  neglected,  the  most  important  cases 
are  delayed. 

"  Both  morning  and  evening  he  has  a  service,  at  which 
many  of  the  Christians  attend.  A  short  liymn  is  first 
sung ;  after  which  he  gives  an  exhortation  on  some  pas- 
sage of  Scripture,  and  concludes  with  a  prayer.  Till 
this  is  over,  every  one,  even  the  most  respectable,  is 
obliged  to  wait.  The  number  of  those  who  come  to  him 
to  be  instructed  in  Christianity  is  great.  Every  day  in- 
dividuals attend,  requesting  him  soon  to  establish  a  Chris- 
tian congregation  in  their  part  of  the  country. 

"  During  my  stay,  about  thirty  persons,  who  had  been 
previously  instructed,  were  baptized.  lie  always  performs 
the  service  with  such  solemnity,  that  all  present  are  moved 
to  tears.  He  has  certainly  received  from  God  a  most 
peculiar  gift  of  teaching  the  truths  of  religion.  Heathens 
of  the  highest  rank,  who  never  intend  to  become  wor- 
shippers of  the  true  God,  and  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ, 
hear  his  instructions  with  pleasure.  During  an  abode  of 
more  than  forty  years  in  this  country,  he  has  acquired  a 
profound  knowledge  of  the  customs,  manners,  and  charac- 
ter of  the  people.  He  expresses  himself  in  the  Tanml 
language  as  correctly  as  a  native.  He  can  immediately 
repl^  to  any  question,  and  refutes  objections  so  well,  that 
the  people  acknowledge,  '  We  can  lay  nothing  to  the 
charge  of  this  priest.' 

"  The  time  having  arrived  for  my  return  to  Tranquebar, 
it  was  not  without  the  deepest  regret  that  I  parted  from 


THE   REV,   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  31 9 

this  excellent  man.  Besides  making  considerable  progress 
in  the  Malabar  language,  I  derived  great  benefit  for  my 
immortal  soul.  On  my  taking  leave,  he  said,  shaking 
hands  with  much  warmth,  '  O  that  we  may  meet  again 
before  the  throne  of  God  !  I  wish  once  more  to  see  my 
friends  on  the  coast,  and  to  take  my  farewell  of  them.'  " 

The  journal  of  Swartz  for  this  year  contains  a  striking 
illustration  of  Mr.  Cammerer's  remark  as  to  the  respect 
in  which  he  was  held,  both  by  the  English  government 
and  the  rajah  of  Taiijore,  and  of  his  beneficial  influence 
even  in  civil  concerns,  combined,  as  it  ever  was,  with  his 
unabated  zeal  and  piety. 

"  When  the  present  king,"  he  observes,  "  ascended  the 
throne,  I  was  desired  to  form  the  outline  of  a  plan  for  the 
better  administration  of  justice  and  the  laws.  I  did  so; 
and  it  was  transmitted  to  England,  and  approved.  This 
year  the  directors  sent  out  orders  to  have  my  plan  carried 
into  execution  ;  and  the  governor  of  Madras  desired  me 
to  superintend  it.  This  greatly  increased  my  labors  ;  but 
for  the  sake  of  the  poor  inhabitants,  I  could  not  refuse 
the  office. 

"  As  many  of  the  natives  daily  come  to  me  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  I  had  the  best  opportunity  of  declar- 
ing to  them  the  counsel  of  God,  for  their  salvation. 
Those  who  came  at  seven  in  the  morning,  attended  our 
morning  prayers.  Others,  who  called  at  eight,  heard  the 
instructions  given  to  the  candidates  for  baptism.  Some- 
times forty  or  fifty  persons  are  present,  both  of  higii  and 
low  castes.  Frequently  from  fifteen  to  twenty  brahmins 
are  sitting  by  while  I  am  catechising.  I  say  to  them,  'Sit 
down,  and  you  will  hear  what  doctrines  we  teach.  I  trust 
you  will  dedicate  yourselves  to  the  service  of  your  Creator 
and  Redeemer,  and  forsake  your  wretched  idolatry ! ' 
They  quietly  sit  down  for  an  hour,  and  hear  every  thing 
I  have  to  say.  Thirty  years  ago,  they  would  have  looked 
upon  this  as  the  greatest  scandal.  May  God  be  merciful 
to  them,  and  incline  their  hearts  not  only  to  hear,  but  to 
receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it ! 

"  My  hope  that  this  country  will  be  brought  to  a  saving 
knowledge  of  the  gospel,  daily  gains  strength  ;  but 
whether  I  shall  live  to  see  the  change,  the  Lord  only 
knows — nor,  indeed,  is  it  material.     My  chief  care  is  to 


320  MEMOIRS  OF 

train  up  young  people  in  the  service  of  Christ.  Mr.  Jcen- 
icke  observed,  '  I  wish  we  had  a  few  more  young  men 
like  Sattianaden.'  Yes,  I  replied :  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest  can  call  others.  May  He  only  grant  us  a  single 
aim,  and  humble  hearts!  Then  his  blessing  will  not  be 
wanting :  but  if  we  harbor  sordid  motives,  we  cannot 
expect  it." 

How  admirable  and  instructive  are  such  reflections ; 
and  what  might  not  be  expected  from  the  united  exertions 
and  prayers  of  a  few  such  laborers ! 

In  another  part  of  the  journal  for  1791,  Swartz  thus 
mentions  one  of  the  benevolent  methods  he  adopted  for 
supplying  some  of  his  native  converts  with  the  means  of 
support. 

"  I  sometimes  employ  poor  widows  in  spinning.  They 
bring  the  yarn  to  a  Christian  weaver,  who  makes  good 
cloth  for  a  trifling  sum.  Some  widows  bruise  rice,  and 
sell  it ;  others  support  themselves  by  selling  fruit.  When 
I  visit  these  poor  women  on  an  afternoon,  I  first  catechise 
them,  and  then  get  them  to  show  me  their  work,  as  a  proof 
of  their  industry.  Labor  is  constantly  necessary  for  them, 
not  only  as  an  occupation,  but  to  fix  their  minds  on  an 
object  during  the  hours  of  solitude. 

"The  great  wish  of  our  hearts  is,  that  those  who  have 
been  instructed  in  our  religion,  may  lead  a  life  conform- 
able to  its  holy  precepts.  Some,  indeed,  bring  forth  the 
fruits  of  faith  ;  as  for  others,  we  labor  with  patience,  in 
hope  of  seeing  them  turn  to  the  Lord. 

"  A  short  time  since,  an  old  man  was  interred,  whose 
life  and  death  were  a  great  consolation  to  us.  He  was  a 
man  of  some  property  in  land  and  cattle,  and  left  the 
whole  to  his  children,  exhorting  them  in  his  last  moments 
to  follow  his  example,  and  become  disciples  of  Jesus 
Christ.  But,  alas!  they  were  far  from  being  so  inclined. 
His  whole  heart  was  fixed  upon  God,  and  he  sought  and 
found  salvation,  by  repentance  and  faith  in  the  great 
Redeemer,  and  by  a  steady  course  of  consistent  piety.  He 
was  indefatigable  in  prayer,  never  gave  way  to  a  spirit  of 
discontent,  but  always  enjoyed  a  happy  frame  of  serenity 
and  peace.  Many  heathens  who  knew  him  were  wont  to 
say,  '  If  there  be  not  another  sincere  Christian  among 
those  who  have  been  instructed,  this  good  old  man  cer- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  321 

tainly  is  one.'  In  his  last  illness,  he  was  visited  by  the 
catechists  and  ourselves.  The  day  of  his  departure  I  said 
to  him,  *  My  dear  friend,  it  seems  as  if  the  Lord  designed 
to  call  you  away  to-day.'  '  Yes,'  returned  he ;  'I  am 
ready  to  go  ;  and  my  soul  exclaims.  Come,  Lord  Jesus ! 
I  am  willing  to  follow  thee!'  Shortly  after,  one  of  the 
catechists  asked  him  how  he  found  himself  '  Very  well,' 
he  replied,  and  expired.  His  death  produced  a  general 
sensation.  The  children  in  the  schools,  who  revered  him 
as  a  father,  followed  him,  singing  hymns,  with  a  great 
concourse  of  Christians,  and  heathens,  and  strewed  his 
grave  with  flowers.  All  the  brethren  were  convinced,  that 
his  life  was  truly  Christian,  and  his  end  happy.  His 
memory  will  be  blessed." 

In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated  "  Tanjore,  January  24, 
1792,"  Swartz  thus  expresses  his  perception  of  advancing 
years,  and  his  increasing  anxiety  for  additional  help. 

"I  am  now  in  the  GGth  year  of  my  age,  and  I  cannot 
but  bless  God  that  I  am  still  able  to  perform  all  my  usual 
functions,  both  in  the  church  and  in  the  schools.  Nature 
certainly  begins  to  decay  ;  but  as  long  as  God  shall  grant 
me  any  degree  of  strength,  I  will  gladly  spend  it  in  labor- 
ing in  his  vineyard.  The  harvest  is  at  present  truly  great, 
but  the  laborers  are  few  :  we  therefore  earnestly  pray  that 
the  Lord  would  send  laborers  into  his  harvest ;  and  we 
urgently  entreat  all  our  friends  and  patrons  in  Europe 
to  do  their  utmost  to  send  us  out  faithful  assistants  in  this 
work.  In  the  last  year,  the  increase  of  converts  was  con- 
siderable. Our  three  schools  in  this  place  go  on  well, 
and  also  that  at  Cumbagonam,  and  another  at  Paliamkodi. 
In  the  latter  place,  above  sixty  persons  have  been  con- 
verted to  Christianity." 

The  continued  affection  of  Swartz  for  the  widow  and 
children  of  his  friend.  Colonel  Wood,  was  in  this  year 
expressed  in  the  following  pious  and  interesting  letter. 

"  Tanjore,  March  9, 1792. 
"  Your  favor  of  January  13,  1791,  I  have  received.  I 
am  happy  at  the  pleasing  account  of  your  better  health. 
I  am  now  in  the  66th  year  of  my  age,  and  am  so  well 
that  I  can  go  through  the  duties  of  my  office  without 
much  fatigue.     However,  I  think  now  daily  of  my  de- 


322  MEMOIRS  OF 

parture.     My  time  is  in  the  hand  of  God  ;  but,  consider- 
ing my  age,  my  quitting  this  world  cannot  be  fat  off. 

"I  adore  the  unspeakable  mercy  of  God,  who  has  dealt 
so  very  kindly  with  me  in  all  respects.  He  has  given  me 
a  knowledge  of  his  unspeakably  great  love  in  Christ ; 
he  pardoneth  my  sins,  heals  my  infirmities,  and  I  hope 
that  he  will  crown  me  with  glory.  Moreover,  he  has 
been  pleased  to  make  me  an  instrument  of  liis  grace  to 
instruct  others ;  some  of  whom  I  shall  find  in  a  blessed 
eternity,  with  whom  I  shall  sing  the  praises  of  redeeming 
love.  In  short,  if  1  complain,  it  must  be  of  myself,  and 
of  my  frequent  acts  of  disobedience  and  ingratitude  ;  but 
of  my  God  and  Redeemer  I  have  no  reason  to  complain. 

"  Dear  madam,  we  have  known  one  another  in  this 
pilgrimage.     O  that  we  may  see  one  another  in  glory ! 

"  Remember  me  to  your  dear  children.  Your  eldest 
daughter  is,  I  hope,  '  a  joyful  mother  of  children.'  Put 
her  often  in  mind  to  bring  them  up  in  the  knowledge  of 
God  and  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  not  according  to  the  fancies 
of  the  world.  Your  youngest  daughter,  M.,  is  now  married 
likewise  to  a  clergyman.*  May  she  also  look  out  for  the 
best  part !  But  where  is  your  second  daughter,  E.  ?  Is 
she  still  with  you  ?  Before  this  reaches  you,  I  hope  you 
have  seen  your  dear  son.  May  he  imitate  Cornelius, 
desirous  of  hearing  and  receiving  the  word  of  truth ! 

"Many  of  your  clergymen  make  little  of  a  Redeemer. 
Dr.  Price's  book  of  sermons  was  sent  me  :  I  perused 
them — was  shocked  with  his  doctrine,  cut  the  book  in 
pieces,  and  buried  it.  They  destroy  the  foundation  of 
happiness  and  true  holiness.  What  can  they  build?  Paul 
was  another  master-builder,  who  knew  of  no  other  founda- 
tion than  Jesus  Christ. t 

"Mr.  Breithaupt  is  a  plain  and  serious  Christian.     Mr. 

Gericke   and  he  live  close  together.     Mr.  F is  dead. 

He  seemed  to  be  sorry  for  what  he  had  done.  His  memory 
failed  him  ;  but  he  had  no  severe  sickness.  He  supped 
heartily,  and  began  to  tremble,  and  died. 

"God  bless  you,  and  your  dear  children." 

*  The  late  Rev.  and  excellent  Basil  Woodd. 

t  Dr.  Price,  the  celebrated  dissenting  minister,  was  a  professed 
Arian ;  but  candid  and  benevolent  as  Swartz  was,  in  the  truest 
sense  of  those  terms,  he  could  not  endure  a  doctrine  which  so  di- 
rectly derogates  from  the  glory  of  Christ,  and  entered  deeply  into 
the  spirit  of  the  beloved  apostle's  injunction,  2  John  10. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  323 

To  the  latter,  Swartz  added  : — 

"  As  I  wrote  to-day  some  lines  to  your  dear  mamma, 
I  thought  it  necessary  to  add  a  line  or  two  to  you,  to 
indulge  the  pleasure  of  mind,  which  I  find  in  talking 
of  or  to  you. 

"  Your  old  friend  is  still  alive,  going  about  to  preach 
the  glad  tidings  concerning  a  Redeemer,  who  came  to 
save  that  which  was  lost.  As  this  blessed  Jesus  is  called, 
with  the  greatest  propriety,  the  '  Consolation  of  the  na- 
tions,' I  hope  you  seek  all  true  comfort  in  Him.  By 
Him  you  shall  be  made  wise  ;  for  He  is  the  author  of  all 
wisdom.  In  and  by  Him  you  shall  obtain  a  full  and 
atoning  righteousness,  as  He  has  fulfilled  the  law  of  God, 
and  satisfied  divine  justice  for  us;  in  and  by  Him  we  shall 
be  truly  sanctified,  and  restored  to  the  image  of  God  ; 
because  he  has  not  only  given  us  the  best  rules  for  holi- 
ness, but  has  set  us  an  example  of  unspotted  holiness, 
and,  which  is  our  greatest  comfort,  has  purchased  for  us 
the  grace  of  his  Holy  Spirit ;  nay,  is  now  able  to  send 
this  blessed  Spirit  into  our  hearts.  In  and  by  Jesus,  we 
shall  be  delivered  from  all  evil  and  calamity,  and  in- 
troduced into  the  presence  of  God.  Should  not  such  a 
Saviour  be  precious  in  our  sight  ?  St.  I'aul  counted  all 
things  but  loss  in  comparison  with  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  his  Saviour.  Whatever  worldly  people  say, 
they  will  one  day  or  other  be  of  Paul's  opinion. 

"  I  pray  to  God  to  enable  you  to  show  by  your  conduct, 
before  all  the  world,  that  Jesus  is  the  highest  object  of 
your  desires  and  wishes.  Worldly  riches  and  honors  are 
not  sinful  in  themselves;  nay,  ought  to  be  used  with  thank- 
fulness to  God,  but  with  a  becoming  care  and  vigilance, 
lest  they  become  a  snare  to  us." 

After  repeated  inquiries,  the  veneral)le  Dr.  Schultz, 
of  Halle,  succeeded,  in  the  course  of  this  year,  in  obtain- 
ing, in  the  Rev  C.  W.  Psezold,  who  had  been  educated 
at  Wittemberg,  one  whom  he  could  recommend  to  the 
Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  for  the 
arduous  work  of  a  missionary.  In  the  month  of  October, 
Mr.  Psezold  arrived  in  England,  and,  previously  to  his 
departure  for  India,  a  charge  was  delivered  to  him,  at  the 
request  of  the  Society,  by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Glasse. 


324  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Harsh  treatment  of  Serfojee  and  the  Widows  of  Tuljajee,  by  Ameer 
Sing — Letter  from  Serfojee  to  Mr.  Swartz — He  transmits  their 
Complaints  to  the  Governor  of  Madras — The  Widows  and  Ser- 
fojee, accompanied  by  Mr.  Swartz,  are  removed  to  that  Presidency 
— Proceedings  commenced  for  a  renewed  Investigation  of  Ser- 
fojee's  Adoption — Administration  of  Tanjore  Revenue  restored  to 
Ameer  Sing — Swartz  visits  Mr.  Gerickc  at  Vcpery — Their  mutnal 
testimony — Accouht  of  the  Collaries — Mr.  Jojnicke  and  Sattiana- 
den  at  Pahiiacotta — Death  of  Mr.  Chambers — Letter  of  Swartz 
to  his  Widow. 

Though  the  adopted  son  of  the  late  rajah  of  Tanjore  had 
been  rescued  from  the  control  of  his  successor,  as  already 
related,  in  the  year  1790,  the  jealousy  and  animosity  of 
Ameer  Sing  towards  Serfojee,  and  the  widows  of  his  late 
brother,  continued  unabated,  and  had  proceeded  to  so 
great  a  length  during  the  two  following  years,  that,  in 
November  J  792,  it  became  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
English  government  again  to  interfere  for  their  pro- 
tection. 

It  appears  that  the  son-in-law  of  Ameer  Sing,  the 
husband  of  his  only  child,  had  recently  died,  without 
offspring.  In  the  agony  of  his  grief,  as  it  may  be  chari- 
tably concluded,  for  a  loss  which  deprived  him  of  the 
hope  of  posterity,  the  rajah  strangely  imputed  this  un- 
happy event  to  enchantments  practised  by  the  Bale 
Sahebs,  (widows  of  Tuljajee,)  by  means  of  a  Persary. 
He  even  accused  them  of  plotting,  by  the  same  abomin- 
able arts,  against  his  own  life  ;  and,  after  condemning 
the  Persary  to  be  hanged,  for  the  alleged  witchcraft,  he 
caused  a  proclamation  to  be  publicly  read  under  the 
windows  of  the  Bale  Sahebs's  residence,  accusing  them 
of  instigating  the  wretched  man  to  this  atrocious  crime. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  335 

* 

While  the  rajah  thus  unjustly  accused  the  widows  of  his 
late  brother,  he  himself  was  guilty  of  something  more  pal- 
pably injurious,  by  causing  a  quantity  of  chillies,  (long  pep- 
per,) and  other  ingredients,  to  be  burnt  under  the  windows 
of  Serfojee's  apartments  ;  by  which  he  and  his  attendants 
were  nearly  suifocated. 

The  following  translation  of  a  letter  from  Serfojee  to 
his  venerable  friend  and  guardian,  describes,  with  great 
simplicity,  and  with  every  appearance  of  truth,  other 
instances  of  persecution  and  annoyance  which  he  was 
then  enduring.  It  will  be  read  with  some  interest,  as  the 
production  of  a  Hindoo  prince,  whose  history  is  so  inti- 
mately connected  with  that  of  Swartz. 

"  I  will  not,"  he  writes,  *'  again  explain  the  various 
vexations  which  I  have  hitherto  suffered  from  Ameer  Sing, 
Maha  rajah,  because  you  know  them,  and  have  mentioned 
them  to  government. 

"Though  the  governor  has  often  admonished  Ameer 
Sing  to  behave  friendly  to  me,  he  has  disregarded  all 
exhortations. 

"  That  I  still  live,  I  owe  to  the  kindness  of  govern- 
ment. 

"  I  will  only  mention  one  of  the  last  grievances  caused 
by  Ameer  Sing.  Sultshana  Baie  Saheb  behaved  to  me 
as  a  mother  from  my  infancy.  Upon  her  recent  death, 
I  wished  to  honor  her  by  performing  the  funeral  rites. 
But  as  the  governor  and  council  determined  that  Ameer 
Sing  should  fulfil  that  duty,  I  was  quiet.  As  he  insisted 
upon  it,  he  should  have  performed  it ;  but  instead  of  this, 
he  sent  a  hired  man,  and  he  himself  went  out  of  the  Fort 
as  soon  as  the  corpse  was  carried  away  ;  which  disrespect 
to  my  mother  grieved  me  very  much. 

"  He  continues  to  torment  us.  My  teachers  he  prevents 
from  coming  to  me.  My  servants  he  confines  ;  so  that 
hardly  any  one  will  stay  with  me.  When  a  merchant 
comes  to  sell  cloth  to  me,  the  merchant  and  his  cloth  are 
detained.  I  would  mention  many  things  more  ;  but  why 
should  I  trouble  you  with  all  my  griefs  1  I  entreat  you 
to  send  this  my  letter  to  the  honorable  Board,  and  to 
beseech  them  either  to  call  me  to  Madras,  which  I  heartily 
wish,  or  to  put  a  guard  of  Europeans  near  the  gate,  to 
28 


326  MEMOIRS  OF 

protect  nie  and  my  two  mothers  ;  or  to  give  me  a  room 
out  of  the  Fort,  in  your  garden. 

"  I  entreat  you  to  lay  my  grief  before  the  honorable 
Board.  Now  they  can  help  me  ;  and  I  trust  that  they 
will  protect  me." 

In  transmitting  the  preceding  letter  to  Sir  Charles 
Oakley,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  presidency  at  Madras, 
Mr.  Swartz,  after  confirming  the  complaints  of  Serfojee 
from  his  own  knowledge,  and  particularly  noticing  the 
confinement  of  a  brahmin  in  his  service,  informed  the 
governor,  that  on  hearing  of  the  latter  circumstance  he 
wrote  to  the  rajah,  requesting  to  know  whether  this  had 
been  done  by  his  order,  and  reminding  him,  that  it  was  alto- 
gether contrary  to  the  will  of  the  honorable  Board,  and 
to  the  decree  of  the  Court  of  Directors,  of  May  6,  1791. 
"  The  animosity,"  he  added,  "  is  rather  too  great  ;  so 
that  if  some  effectual  means  are  not  used,  none  knows 
what  may  happen." 

In  another  letter  to  Sir  Charles  Oakley,  he  observed, 
that  the  rajah  was  in  so  dreadful  an  agitation,  "that  it 
would  not  be  surprising  if  he  should  fall  into  a  state  of 
sickness,  which  he  without  doubt  would  ascribe  to  witch- 
craft." 

"  That  Serfojee,  and  the  ladies,"  he  continued,  "  are  in 
danger,  is  very  obvious  and  acknowledged  by  all.  They 
have  desired  me  to  acquaint  Lord  Cornwallis  with  all  this 
shameful  work." 

The  general  impression  which  the  extraordinary  con- 
duct of  the  rajah,  thus  detailed,  produced  both  at  Tanjore 
and  Madras,  was  that  he  was  disordered  in  his  intellects, 
and  he  was  informed  by  government  that  he  would  not  be 
intrusted  with  the  management  of  his  country,  until  his 
mind  should  be  more  composed.  In  fact,  it  was  found 
necessary,  for  this  and  other  reasons,  to  retain  the  admin- 
istration of  tlie  revenue  for  a  few  months  longer. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  in  consequence  of  the  rajah's 
former  ill-treatment  of  Serfojee,  government  had  been  in- 
duced to  consult  Mr.  Swartz  as  to  the  expediency  of 
removing  both  him  and  the  widow  queens  to  Madras,  and 
of  declaring  Serfojee  presumptive  heir  to  the  Musnud. 
Before,  however,  the  despatch  containing  that  proposition 
could  have  reached  Tanjore,  Mr.  Swartz's  letter  to   Sir 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  327 

Charles  Oakley,  communicating  the  rajah's  outrageous 
behavior,  arrived  ;  and  left  no  doubt  as  to  the  necessity  of 
removing  Serfojee  immediately  from  his  perilous  situation. 
Orders  were  accordingly  transmitted  to  Tanjore,  that 
Serfojee  and  the  Baie  Sahebs  should  be  rescued  from  the 
vexatious  interference  of  Ameer  Sing  ;  and  that  they  and 
such  members  of  their  family  as  were  willing  to  accompany 
them,  should  be  invited  to  Madras,  where  they  would  live 
unmolested,  and  the  education  of  Serfojee,  which  had 
hitherto  been  much  impeded,  might  be  duly  attended  to. 

On  the  2Ist  of  November  this  plan,  so  contrary  in  some 
respects  to  the  usual  habits  of  Hindoo  females,  was  carried 
into  effect.  A  detachment  of  the  company's  troops,  with 
the  assistance  of  Mr.  Swartz,  accomplished  the  removal  of 
Serfojee  and  the  widows,  from  the  palace  of  the  late  rajah, 
without  occasioning  the  least  disturbance.  They  soon 
afterwards  left  Tanjore,  and  on  the  1 0th  of  January,  1793, 
the  whole  parly,  accompanied  by  their  faithful  friend  and 
protector,  safely  reached  the  presidency.  Amoer  Sing, 
dreading  the  exposure  of  his  folly,  used  his  utmost  endeav- 
ors to  prevail  upon  them  to  remain ;  but  they  could  not 
be  persuaded  to  forego  their  intention.  In  addition  to  the 
immediate  object  of  their  personal  safety  and  comfort, 
they  had  resolved  to  take  this  opportunity  of  stating  their 
conviction  of  the  validity  of  Serfojee's  adoption,  and  of 
obtaining  such  a  full  investigation  of  his  claims  as  might 
lead  to  the  deposition  of  Ameer  Sing,  and  the. elevation  of 
Serfojee  to  the  throne. 

The  proceedings,  which  at  length  issued  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  these  important  events,  appear  to  have  com- 
menced by  communications  on  the  part  of  the  widows  of 
the  late  rajah,  and  of  Mr.  Swartz,  as  the  guardian  of 
Serfojee,  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  who  had  recently  given 
peace  to  India  at  the  close  of  an  arduous  and  successful 
contest  with  Tippoo  Sultan.  These  consisted  of  docu- 
ments and  proofs  so  clear  and  satisfactory,  that  no  doubt 
could  be  entertained  as  to  the  result  of  the  investigation; 
and  it  may  seem  difficult  to  account  for  the  delay  which 
took  place  in  bringing  it  to  a  conclusion.  The  return  of 
the  governor-general  to  Europe,  in  the  course  of  that  year 
might,  perhaps,  have  contributed  to  it.  Certain  it  is,  that 
it  was  not  till  four  years  afterwards,  that  the  question  was 
finally  decided.  It  will,  therefore,  be  expedient  to  sus- 
pend the  farther  consideration  of  it  till  that  period. 


328  MEMOIRS  OF 

In  the  mean  time,  it  may  not  be  irrelevant  to  observe, 
that  the  administration  of  the  revenue  of  Tanjore  was  re- 
stored to  Ameer  Sing,  in  July  1793,  an  arrangement 
which  the  Court  of  Directors  would  willingly  have  deferred 
till  the  determination  of  the  inquiry  into  the  rights  of 
Serfojee. 

During  the  assumption  of  Tanjore  by  the  Madras  gov- 
ernment, the  judicial  regulations  proposed  by  Mr.  Swartz 
were  carried  into  effect  by  the  collectors  with  much  benefit 
to  the  inhabitants.  But  no  sooner  had  the  management 
of  the  country  again  devolved  on  Ameer  Sing,  than  the 
old  system  of  mal-administration  recommenced  ;  Shevarow 
and  his  brothers  regained,  and  even  increased,  their 
former  ascendancy  ;  having  the  rajah  so  completely  in 
their  power,  that  they  did  not  scruple  openly  to  declare 
that  he  owed  his  elevation  to  them,  and  that  whenever 
they  pleased  they  were  able  to  dethrone  him. 

Mr.  Swartz  having  settled  Serfojee  and  his  relatives 
satisfactorily  at  the  presidency,  he  consented,  at  the  earnest 
desire  of  his  missionary  brethren,  to  spend  some  time  at 
Vepery  near  Madras  with  Mr.  Gericke,  to  assist  that  ex- 
cellent man  in  his  laborious  work. 

"  Here,"  he  says,  writing  to  a  friend  in  England,  "  I 
have  carefully  observed  the  regulations  made  by  Mr. 
Gericke,  his  admirable  order  respecting  divine  service,  in 
the  Malabar,  Portuguese,  and  English  tongues.  On  Sun- 
day mornings,  he  preaches  to  the  Tamulian  or  Malabar 
congregation,  in  the  afternoon,  to  the  Portuguese,  and  in 
the  evening  to  the  English.  He  catechises  every  evening 
in  one  of  these  languages.  I  confess  it  has  given  me 
great  satisfaction  to  behold  that  all  is  done  with  the  greatest 
regularity  and  propriety.  I  am  now  his  assistant  in  this 
delightful  work.  May  God  soon  send  him  a  faithful  fel- 
low-laborer !  My  dear  brother,  you  may  assure  our  ven- 
erable superiors  that  they  will  rejoice  at  the  last  day,  in 
beholding  the  fruits  of  that  work  which  they  piously  sup- 
port." 

The  mutual  testimony  of  two  such  men,  as  Swartz  and 
Gericke,  eminently  sincere  and  simple  as  they  both  were, 
is  peculiarly  gratifying.  It  was  probably  about  this  period, 
that  the  latter  gave  the  following  brief,  but  beautiful  sketch 
of  his  venerable  senior  to  his  friends  in  Germany,  which, 
though   varying  in  some  interesting  traits,  so  closely  re- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  329 

sembles  the  portraits  previously  drawn  by  Mr.  Chambers 
and  Mr.  Cammerer,  that  it  is  impossible  not  to  feel  assured 
of  the  fidelity  of  each  description  to  the  admirable  original. 

"I  found  him,"  says  Mr.  Gericke,  "as  healthy  and 
vigorous  as  he  was  several  years  ago.  He  devotes  four 
hours  every  day  to  the  instruction  of  English  and  Tamul 
children,  and  such  native  Christians  as  are  prepared  for 
baptism  ;  after  which  he  enters  into  the  most  cheerful  and 
edifying  conversation  with  those  who  visit  him. 

"  The  purity  of  his  mind,  his  disinterestedness  and 
strict  integrity,  his  active  zeal  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
mission,  and  his  constant  attention  to  the  temporal  as  well 
as  spiritual  prosperity  of  the  native  Christians,  his  inde- 
fatigable exertions  to  procure  them  the  means  of  subsist- 
ence, his  pastoral  wisdom  and  charity,  his  fervor  in  prayer, 
his  eminent  talent  of  engaging  the  attention  even  of  mi.\ed 
companies  by  the  manner  and  tone  of  his  conversation, 
his  peculiar  skill  in  noticing  defects  and  reproving  faults 
with  so  friendly  and  cheerful  an  air,  that  even  the  highest 
and  proudest  are  not  offended — these,  and  many  other  ex- 
cellent qualities,  but  rarely  found  together,  render  him 
universally  beloved  and  respected  ;  and  even  the  whole  of 
his  outward  deportment,  his  silver  locks,  and  serenely 
beaming  eye,  and  all  the  features  of  his  countenance,  are 
calculated  to  inspire  both  veneration  and  affection. 

•'  1  spent  a  whole  week  with  this  patriarch,  in  a  very 
delightful  manner,  and  almost  forgot  in  his  society  that  I 
was  sick." 

During  his  stay  with  Mr.  Gericke,  Swartz,  in  a  letter 
to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  dated 
Madras,  Feb.  3,  1793,  after  observing  that  the  admoni- 
tions and  pious  wishes  of  the  Society,  expressed  in  their 
secretary's  correspondence,  were  received  with  due  ven- 
eration, and  that  he  and  his  brethren  had  during  the  pre- 
ceding year  been  preserved  and  encouraged  in  proclaiming 
the  good  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  heathen  around  them, 
thus  details  the  apparently  alarming  circumstances  relating 
to  the  conversion  of  some  of  the  natives  which  were  before 
briefly  alluded  to. 

"Many  of  them,"  he  writes,  "were  baptized  last  year, 

and  particularly  some  of  those  called  kallar,  who  are  looked 

upon  as  the   worst,  and    somewhat  resemble  the  thievish 

Arabs.     These  people  having  been  instructed  two  months, 

28* 


33Q  MEMOIRS  OF 

were  baptized.  Being  baptized  we  insisted  upon  their 
becoming  industrious  in  their  proper  business.  All  of 
them  had  very  good  fields,  which  they  were  exhorted  to 
cultivate.  To  these  exhortations  we  added  ocular  inspec- 
tion. 1  went  and  visited  them  in  their  villages.  Having 
examined  them  in  respect  of  their  knowledge,  and  prayed 
with  them,  which  was  commonly  done  in  the  presence  of 
a  great  many  heathens,  I  desired  to  see  the  fruits  of  their 
industry  ;  on  which  they  fully  satisfied  me.  I  then  ex- 
horted them  to  be  honest,  in  paying  the  usual  rent  to  gov- 
ernment, which  they  soon  did  in  a  pleasing  manner.  The 
appearance  was  agreeable,  and  the  prospect  hopeful. 

"  As  the  water-courses  in  their  district  had  not  been 
cleaned  for  fifteen  years,  by  which  neglect  the  cultivation 
was  impeded,  and  the  harvest  lessened,  I  entreated  the 
collector  to  advance  a  sum  of  money  to  clear  them,  prom- 
ising to  send  people  to  inspect  the  work.  The  work  was 
completely  done,  and  those  inhabitants  who  formerly,  for 
want  of  water,  had  reaped  only  four  thousand  large 
measures,  called  kalam,  reaped  now  fourteen  thousand 
kalams,  and  rejoiced  in  the  increase.  The  whole  district 
reaped  nearly  one  hundred  thousand  kalams  more  than 
they  had  done  the  preceding  year. 

"  But  this  our  joy  was  soon  turned  into  grief.  The 
heathens  observing  that  many  of  their  relations  wished  to 
embrace  Christianity,  and  that  such  as  had  been  baptized 
refused  to  join  in  their  plundering  expeditions,  assembled 
and  formed  an  encampment,  threatening  to  extirpate 
Christianity.  Now  all  looked  dismal.  Many  of  the 
Christians  were  encouraged  by  their  relations,  who  were 
heathens,  to  form  an  opposite  camp.  But  I  exhorted  the 
Christians  to  make  use  of  other  weapons,  viz.  prayer, 
humility,  and  patience  ;  telling  them  in  strong  terms,  that 
if  they  became  aggressors,  I  should  disown  them.  This 
disturbance  lasted  four  months,  and  became  very  serious, 
as  the  malcontents  neglected  the  cultivation  of  their  own 
fields,  and  deterred  others  from  doing  it.  I  wrote  to  these 
misguided  people,  (for  they  had  mischievous  guides,)  sent 
catechists  to  tliem,  exhorted  them  not  to  commit  such 
horrid  sins,  and  reminded  them  that  my  former  endeavors, 
so  beneficial  to  them,  had  not  merited  such  treatment. 
At  last  finding  no  opposition  from  the  Christians,  and  not 
being  willing  to  be  looked  upon  as  the  aggressors,  all  went 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SVVARTZ.  331 

to  their  homes  and  work,  ploughing  and  sowing  with 
double  diligence.  My  heart  rejoiced  at  the  kind  over- 
ruling providence  —  surely  he  is  a  God  that  heareth 
prayer." 

Together  with  the  preceding  letter,  Swartz  transmitted 
one  from  Mr.  Jcenicke,  who  had  returned  to  Tanjore, 
which  contained  a  gratifying  report  of  his  labors  in  con- 
junction with  Sattianaden,  who  occasionally  preached  for 
him  in  his  native  language,  at  Palamcotta.  "The  Euro- 
peans," he  observed,  "  regularly  frequented  the  church, 
to  which  they  were  encouraged  by  the  good  example  of 
the  commanding  officer.  The  Christians  in  the  Tinne- 
velly  district  generally  resided  in  the  country,  and  formed 
several  congregations.  For  their  use,  he  had  erected 
some  chapels,  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  Swartz.  Many  of 
those  converts  were  Christians,  not  in  name  only  but  in 
reality.  There  is  every  reason  to  hope,"  he  added,  "that 
at  a  future  period  Christianity  will  prevail  in  the  Tinne- 
velly  country.  Himself  and  Sattianaden  had  severally 
made  journies  info  parts  of  the  country  where  the  word  of 
God  had  never  been  preached  ;  and  the  people  were  gen- 
erally attentive,  and  desirous  of  hearing;  they  assembled 
in  hundreds,  and  showed  him  every  respect,  and  numbers 
had  conducted  him  from  village  to  village.  Sattianaden 
had  experienced  the  same  attention.  More  than  thirty 
persons  came  afterwards  to  Palamcotta  to  be  instructed 
and  baptized.  Such  happy  effects,"  he  remarked,  "would 
often  be  experienced,  could  such  journeys  be  frequently 
repeated." 

In  a  postscript  to  this  letter,  Mr.  Swartz  added,  that 
since  his  arrival  at  Madras,  he  had  frequently  conversed 
with  Sir  Charles  Oakley,  and  represented  to  him  the  use- 
fulness of  the  provincial  schools,  in  consequence  of  which 
the  governor  had  consented  to  the  establishment  of  one 
or  two  more,  as  soon  as  opportunities  should  occur.  It 
appears  also  that  he  obtained  from  the  government  a 
monthly  allowance  of  forty  pagodas  for  the  Protestant 
poor  at  Negapatam.  This  sum  still  continues  to  be  paid, 
and  is  distributed  under  the  direction  of  the  Society's 
missionaries. 

It  was  in  the  course  of  this  year  that  Swartz  lost  his 
distinguished  and  valued  friend,  Mr.  Chambers. 


332  MEMOIRS   OF 

It  will  readily  be  imagined  that  the  loss  of  a  friend  so 
highly  and  so  justly  esteemed  as  Mr.  Chambers,  must  have 
been  deeply  felt  by  Swartz.  It  is  remarkable,  however, 
that  men  who,  like  him,  have  a  strong  and  habitual  im- 
pression of  the  frailty  and  uncertainty  of  all  human  things, 
combined  with  a  lively  faith  in  the  infinite  importance  and 
permanent  reality  of  things  eternal,  with  an  unshaken 
confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God,  and  with 
an  animating  hope  of  future  happiness,  are  accustomed  to 
express  themselves  with  great  calmness  and  moderation 
under  the  trials  and  vicissitudes  of  life,  and  to  be  chiefly 
anxious  to  promote  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  and 
acquiescence  in  the  dispensations  of  his  providence.  Such 
was  eminently  the  characteristic  of  Buchanan,  and  such 
is  the  tenor  of  the  following  letter  to  the  widow  of  Mr. 
Chambers;  which,  if  it  should  be  thought  deficient  in  the 
warm  expression  of  sympathizing  sorrow,  breathes  the 
most  exalted  spirit  of  Christian  resignation,  and  imparts 
the  richest  consolation. 

"  Dear  Madam, — The  loss  of  a  dear  husband,  which 
you  have  sustained,  is  felt  by  you;  and  as  he  was  my  dear 
friend,  with  whom  I  had  contracted  an  intimate  friend- 
ship, is,  you  may  be  sure,  felt  by  me.  But  God,  who  is 
the  giver  of  our  life,  has  a  right  to  take  it  from  us  when- 
ever he  pleaseth. 

"  If  we  die  in  the  Lord,  united  to  him  who  has  re- 
deemed us,  and  having  a  share  in  his  precious  atonement, 
we  are  gainers  by  death,  though  the  survivors  may  lose. 
It  is  therefore  our  duty  to  be  resigned  to  the  will  of  our 
Lord.  '  Not  my  will,  but  thine,  O  Father,  be  done ! ' 
This  is  the  most  difficult  lesson ;  but  at  the  same  time  a 
lesson  which  is  attended  with  the  greatest  blessing.  It  is 
natural  to  shed  a  tear  over  the  grave  of  our  dear  friends; 
but  it  is  truly  Christian  to  resign  our  will  to  the  will  of 
God. 

"  Whatever  you,  dear  madam,  or  your  children  have 
lost  by  the  death  of  our  friend,  God  is  able  and  willing  to 
make  it  up. 

"When  we  give  our  hearts  to  him,  we  promise  that  we 
will  be  pleased  with  the  ways  in  which  he  leads  us. 

"  When  our  friends  are  called  away,  we  are  to  remem- 
ber that  they  are  with  the  Lord ;  and  that  it  is  our  happi- 


THE   REV.  C    F.  SWARTZ.  333 

ness  to  be  disengaged  from  the  world,  and  to  become 
heavenly  minded.  May  the  death  of  our  deceased  friend 
move  our  hearts  to  look  upwards,  and  to  be  prepared  for 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  ! 

"God,  who  is  the  friend  of  widows  and  the  father  of 
the  orphan,  will,  no  doubt,  take  care  of  you  and  your  chil- 
dren.    Put  your  trust  in  him,  and  all  will  be  well. 

"Commending  you  and  your  dear  children  to  the  care, 
protection,  and  blessing  of  a  reconciled  God,  I  am  sin- 
cerely, dear  madam,  your  affectionate  frien<l  and  humble 
servant,  C.  F.  Swartz. 

«  Cuddalore,  Oct.  5,  171)3." 


334  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Debate  in  Parliament  on  the  renewal  of  the  East  India  Company's 
Charter  in  1793 — Letter  of  Mr.  Swartz  in  reply  to  some  reflec- 
tions of  Mr.  M.  Campbell  on  Missionaries,  in  the  course  of  that 
debate — Letters  to  fiiends — Revival  of  the  discussion  respecting 
the  validity  of  Serfojee's  adoption,  and  his  title  to  the  Musnud — 
Proceedings  at  the  two  Presidencies  of  Madras  and  Bengal — Im- 
portant services  of  Mr.  Swartz  upon  this  occasion — High  testi- 
mony to  his  character  by  Sir  John  Shore — Complete  establishment 
of  Serfojee's  claims — Appointment  of  two  new  missionaries — Sir 
A.  Johnstone — Declining  health  of  Mr.  Swartz — His  devout  and 
interesting  reflections  on  this  subject. 

Upon  the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany, in  the  year  179*3,  it  was  resolved  in  a  committee  of 
the  House  of  Commons,  "  that  it  is  the  peculiar  and 
bounden  duty  of  the  legislature  to  promote,  by  all  just  and 
prudent  means,  the  interest  and  happiness  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  British  dominions  in  India  ;  and  that  for  these 
ends  such  measures  ought  to  be  adopted  as  may  gradually 
tend  to  their  advancement  in  useful  knowledge,  and  to 
their  religions  and  moral  improvement."  In  pursuance  of 
this  wise  and  benevolent  resolution,  a  distinguished  mem- 
ber of  the  House,*  who  was  upon  all  occasions  the  zealous 
advocate  of  plans  calculated  to  advance  the  interests  of 
humanity  and  religion,  and  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of 
mankind,  proposed  certain  clauses  in  the  Bill  then  in 
progress  for  the  renewal  of  the  Company's  charter,  in  favor 
of  the  establishment  of  free  schools  and  the  encourage- 
ment of  Christian  missionaries  in  India. 

Important  as  this  proposition  was,  and  directly  accord- 
. t ~ 

*  The  late  William  Wilberforce,  Esq. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  335 

ing  with  the  professed  intentions  of  the  legislature,  it  was 
one  which  had  at  that  period  excited  so  little  public  atten- 
tion or  concern,  that  considering  the  prejudices  of  many 
persons,  both  in  and  out  of  Parliament,  connected  with 
India,  it  is  not  surprising  that  it  should  be  unfavorably 
received.  The  late  Lord  Melville,  then  at  the  head  of  the 
Board  of  Control,  acknowledged  the  importance  of  the 
measure,  and  promised  not  to  lose  sight  of  it,  but  expressed 
his  doubts  as  to  its  present  expediency,  and  his  wish  to 
obtain  fuller  information  upon  the  subject.  Mr.  Wilber- 
force,  in  consequence,  consented  to  withdraw  the  clauses  in 
question ;  pledging  himself,  however,  to  bring  them  for- 
ward upon  some  future  and  more  propitious  occasion.* 

In  the  course  of  the  debate  upon  this  interesting  subject, 
Mr.  Montgomery  Campbell,  who  had  a  few  years  since 
held  an  official  situation  at  Madras,  took  occasion  to  cast 
some  severe  reflections  on  the  character  of  the  native  con- 
verts on  the  coast  of  Coromandel  ;  and  while  speaking  in 
terms  of  high  and  deserved  respect  of  Swartz,  to  depre- 
ciate the  value  of  his  labors,  and  to  treat  as  visionary  the 
hope  of  converting  the  Hindoos  to  Christianity.  The 
report  of  these  injurious  observations  having  reached  him, 
unaccustomed  as  he  was  to  controversy,  and  abhorrent  as 
every  appearance  of  boasting  was  from  his  disposition  and 
habits,  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  vindicate  both  his  con- 
verts and  himself  from  the  unjust  aspersions  which  had 
been  thrown  upon  them,  and  to  assert  the  beneficial  results 
of  missionary  exertion  in  India. 

With  this  view,  he  addressed  a  letter  to  the  secretary  of 
the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  in  which 
he  triumpliantly  replied  to  the  animadversions  of  his  par- 
liamentary opponent,  and  nobly  vindicated  the  cause  of 
missions.  "  Perhaps,"  observes  a  very  competent  judge 
upon  this  subject,?  "  no  Christian  defence  has  appeared 
in  these  latter  ages  more  characteristic  of  the  apostolic 
simplicity  and  primitive  energy  of  truth,  than  this  apology 
of  the  venerable  Swartz." 

*How  nobly  this  truly  Christian  senator  redeemed  his  pledge, 
may  be  seen  by  referring  to  the  proceedings  in  pailiament  twenty 
years  afterwards  ;  when  an  ecclesiastical  establishment  was  provided 
for  British  India,  and  facilities  were  afforded  to  Christian  missions 
in  that  country. 

t  Dr.  Buchanan. — Ecclesiastical  Memoir. 


336  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  letter  itself  contains  various  particulars  respecting 
the  beneficial  influence  of  Christianity,  and  of  the  excel- 
lent missionary  and  his  fellow-laborers  in  the  south  of 
India,  which  have  been  already  detailed  in  these  Memoirs; 
but  though  many  of  the  events  and  circumstances  to  which 
he  refers  have  been  thus  anticipated,  there  is  a  vividness 
and  variety  in  the  manner  in  which  they  are  related, 
which  invests  them  with  fresh  interest,  and  compensates 
for  any  repetition  in  the  narrative.  Some  additional  facts 
also  are  mentioned,  which,  combined  with  the  manly 
sense  and  elevated  piety  which  it  contains,  tend  greatly  to 
strengthen  the  general  effect  of  this  admirable  defence  of 
Christian  missions.     The  letter  is  as  follows : — 

"Tanjore,  Feb.  13,1794. 

"  Reverend  and  dear  Sir, — As  his  Majesty's  74ih  regi- 
ment is  partly  stationed  at  Tanjore,  and  partly  at  Vellum, 
six  English  miles  distant  from  Tanjore,  we  commonly  go 
once  in  a  week  to  Vellum,  to  perform  divine  service  to 
four  companies  of  that  regiment. 

"  When  I  lately  went  to  that  place,  the  210th  number 
of  a  newspaper,  called  the  Courier,  Friday  evening,  May 
24,  1793,  was  communicated  to  me. 

"  In  that  paper,  I  found  a  paragraph,  delivered  by  Mr. 
Montgomery  Campbell,  who  came  out  to  India  with  Sir 
Archibald  Campbell,  in  the  station  of  a  private  secretary, 
wherein  my  name  was  mentioned  in  the  following  manner. 

'"Mr.  Montgomery  Campbell  gave  his  decided  vote 
against  the  clause,  and  reprobated  the  idea  of  converting 
the  Gentoos.  It  is  true,  missionaries  have  made  proselytes 
of  the  Pariars  ;  but  they  were  the  lowest  order  of  people, 
and  had  even  degraded  the  religion  they  professed  to  em- 
brace. 

"'Mr.  Swartz,  whose  character  was  held  so  deservedly 
high,  could  not  have  any  reason  to  boast  of  the  purity  of 
his  followers  :  they  were  proverbial  for  their  profligacy. 
An  instance  occurred  to  his  recollection,  perfectly  in 
point.  He  had  been  preaching  for  many  hours  to  this 
caste  of  proselytes,  on  the  heinousness  of  theft,  and,  in 
the  heat  of  his  discourse,  had  taken  off  his  slock,  when 
that  and  his  gold  buckle  were  stolen  by  one  of  his  virtuous 
and  enlightened  congregation.  In  such  a  description  of 
natives  did  the  doctrine  of  the  missionaries  operate.     Men 


THE   REV.   C.  F.  SWARTZ.  337 

of  high  caste  would  spurn  at  the  idea  of  changing  the  re- 
ligion of  their  ancestors.' 

"  As  this  paragraph  is  found  in  a  public  paper,  I  thought 
it  would  not  displease  the  honorable  Society,  to  make  a 
few  observations  on  it;  not  to  boast,  (which  I  detest,)  but 
to  declare  the  plain  truth,  and  to  defend  my  brethren  and 
myself 

"  About  seventeen  years  ago,  when  I  resided  at  Trich- 
inopoly,  I  visited  the  congregation  at  Tanjore.  In  my 
road,  I  arrived  very  early  at  a  village  inhabited  by  collaries, 
(a  set  of  people  who  are  infamous  for  stealing  ;)  even  the 
name  of  a  collary,  (or  better,  kallar,)  signifieth  a  thief. 
These  collaries  make  nightly  excursions,  in  order  to  rob. 
They  drive  away  bullocks  and  sheep,  and  whatever  they 
can  find  ;  for  which  outrage,  they  annually  pay  fifteen 
hundred  chakr,  or  seven  hundred  and  fifty  pagodas  to  the 
rajah.  Of  this  caste  of  people,*  many  live  in  the  Tanjore 
country  ;  still  more  in  Tondiman's  country  ;  and  likewise 
in  the  nabob's  country. 

"  When  I  arrived  at  one  of  those  villages,  called  Puda- 
loor,  I  took  off  my  stock,  putting  it  upon  a  sand-bank. 
Advancing  a  little,  to  look  out  for  the  man  who  carried 
my  linen  clothes,  I  was  regardless  of  the  stock  ;  at  which 
time  some  thievish  boys  took  it  away.  When  the  inhabi- 
tants heard  of  the  theft,  they  desired  me  to  confine  all 
those  boys,  and  to  punish  them  as  severely  as  I  pleased. 
But  I  refused  to  do  that,  not  thinking  that  the  trifle  which 
I  had  lost  was  worth  so  much  trouble. 

"  That  such  boys,  whose  fathers  are  professed  thieves, 
should  commit  a  theft,  can  be  no  matter  of  wonder.  All 
the  inhabitants  of  that  village  were  heathens  ;  not  one 
Christian  family  was  found  therein. f  Many  of  our  gen- 
tlemen, travelling  through  that  village,  have  been  robbed. 
The  trifle  of  a  buckle  I  did  therefore  not  lose  by  a  Chris- 
tian, as  Mr.  Montgomery  Campbell  will  have  it,  but  by 
heathen  boys.  Neither  did  I  preach  at  that  time.  Mr. 
Campbell  says  that  I  preached  two  hours.  I  did  not  so 
much  as  converse  with  any  man.     This  poor  story,  totally 

•  Obviously  resembling  the  ancient  predatory  tribes  of  Scotland. 

t  In  the  year  1809,  Mr.  KohlhofF,  referring,  in  a  letter  to  the  So- 
ciety, to  this  story,  mentions  that  many  Christians  were  then  to  be 
found  in  that  village. 
29 


338  MEMOIRS  OF 

misrepresented,  is  alleged  by  Mr.  M.  Campbell  to  prove 
the  profligacy  of  Christians,  whom  he  called,  with  a  sneer, 
virtuous  and  enlightened  people.  If  he  has  no  better 
proof,  his  conclusion  is  built  upon  a  bad  foundation,  and 
I  shall  not  admire  his  logic  ;  truth  is  against  him. 

"  Neither  is  it  true,  that  the  best  part  of  those  people 
who  have  been  instructed,  are  pariars.  Had  Mr.  M. 
Campbell  visited,  even  once,  our  church,  he  would  have 
observed  that  more  than  tioo  thirds  were  of  the  higher  caste; 
and  so  it  is  at  Tranquebar  and  Vepery. 

"  Our  intention  is  not  to  boast ;  but  this  I  may  safely 
say,  that  many  of  those  who  have  been  instructed,  have 
left  this  world  with  comfort,  and  with  a  well-grounded 
hope  of  everlasting  life.  That  some  of  those  who  have 
been  instructed  and  baptized,  have  abused  the  benefit  of 
instruction,  is  certain.  But  all  sincere  servants  of  God, 
nay,  even  the  apostles,  have  experienced  this  grief. 

"  It  is  asserted,  that  a  missionary  is  a  disgrace  to  any 
country.  Lord  Macartney,  and  the  late  General  Coote, 
would  have  entertained  a  very  different  opinion.  They, 
and  many  other  gentlemen,  know  and  acknowledge,  that 
the  missionaries  have  been  beneficial  to  government,  and 
a  comfort  to  the  country.  This  I  am  able  to  prove  in  the 
strongest  manner.  Many  gentlemen,  who  live  now  in 
England,  and  in  this  country,  would  corroborate  my 
assertion. 

"  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke  has  been  of  eminent  service 
at  Cuddalore,  every  gentleman,  who  was  at  that  place 
when  the  war  broke  out,  knows.  lie  was  the  instrument, 
in  the  hands  of  Providence,  by  which  Cuddalore  was 
saved  from  plunder  and  bloodshed.  He  saved  many 
gentlemen  from  becoming  prisoners  to  Hyder,  which 
Lord  Macartney  kindly  acknowledged. 

"  When  Negapatam,  that  rich  and  populous  city,  fell 
into  the  deepest  poverty,  by  the  unavoidable  consequences 
of  war,  Mr.  Gericke  behoved  like  a  father  to  the  distressed 
inhabitants.  He  for,iiot  that  he  had  a  family  to  provide 
for.  Many  impoverished  families  were  supported  by  him  ; 
so  that  when  I  a  few  months  ago,  preached  and  admin- 
istered the  sacrament  in  that  place,  I  saw  many  who 
owed  their  own  and  their  children's  lives  to  his  disinter- 
ested care.  Surely  this,  my  friend,  could  not  be  called  a 
disgrace   to  that   place.      When  the  honorable    Society 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  339 

ordered  him  to  attend  the  congregation  at  Madras,  all 
lamented  his  departure.  And  at  Madras,  he  is  esteemed 
by  the  governor,  and  many  other  gentlemen,  to  this  day. 

"  It  is  a  most  disagreeable  task  to  speak  of  one's  self. 
However,  I  hope  that  the  honorable  Society  will  not  look 
upon  some  observations  which  I  am  about  to  make,  as  a 
vain  and  sinful  boasting,  but  rather  as  a  necessary  self- 
defence.  Neither  the  missionaries,  nor  any  of  the  Chris- 
tians, have  hurt  the  welfare  of  the  country. 

"In  the  course  of  the  late  war,  the  fort  of  Tanjore  was 
in  a  very  critical  condition.  A  powerful  enemy  was  near  ; 
the  people  in  the  fort  numerous;  and  not  provision  even 
for  the  garrison.  There  was  grain  enough  in  the  country, 
but  we  had  no  bullocks  to  bring  it  into  the  fort.  When 
the  country  people  formerly  brought  paddy  into  the  fort, 
the  rapacious  dubashes  deprived  them  of  their  due  pay. 
Hence,  all  confidence  was  lost;  so  that  the  inhabitants 
drove  away  their  cattle,  refusing  to  assist  the  fort.  The 
late  rajah  ordered,  nay,  entreated  the  people,  by  his  man- 
agers, to  come  and  help  us  ;   but  all  was  in  vain. 

**  At  last,  the  rajah  said  to  one  of  our  principal  gentle- 
men,—  We  all,  you  and  /,  have  lost  our  credit  ;  let  us  try 
whether  the  inhabitants  will  trust  Mr.  Swartz.  Accord- 
ingly, he  sent  me  a  blank  paper,  empowering  me  to  make 
a  proper  agreement  with  the  people.  There  was  no  time 
for  hesitation.  The  sepoys  fell  down  as  dead  people, 
being  emaciated  with  hunger.  Our  streets  were  lined 
with  dead  corpses  every  morning.  Our  condition  was 
deplorable.  I  sent,  therefore,  letters,  every  where  round 
about,  promising  to  pay  every  one  with  my  own  hands; 
and  to  indemnify  them  for  the  loss  of  every  bullock  which 
might  be  taken  by  the  enemy.  In  one  or  two  days,  I  got 
above  a  thousand  oxen,  and  sent  one  of  our  catechists, 
and  other  Christians,  into  the  country.  They  went  at  the 
risk  of  their  lives,  made  all  possible  haste,  and  brought 
into  the  fort,  in  a  vej-y  short  time,  eighty  thousand  kalams. 
By  this  means,  the  fort  was  saved.  Wlien  all  was  over, 
I  paid  the  people,  (even  with  some  money  which  belonged 
to  others,)  made  them  a  small  present,  and  sent  them 
home. 

"  The  next  year,  when  Colonel  Braithwaite,  with  his 
whole  detachment,  was  made  prisoner,  Major  Alcock 
commanded  this  fort,  and  behaved  very  kindly  to  the  poor 


340  MEMOIRS   OF 

starving  people.  We  were  then,  a  second  time,  in  the 
same  miserable  condition.  The  enemy  always  invaded 
the  country,  when  the  harvest  was  nigh  at  hand.  I  was 
again  desired  to  try  my  former  expedient,  and  succeeded. 
The  people,  knowing  that  they  were  not  to  be  deprived  of 
their  pay,  came  with  their  cattle.  But  now  the  danger 
was  greater,  as  the  enemy  was  very  near.  The  Christians 
conducted  the  inhabitants  to  proper  places,  surelv  with  no 
small  danger  of  losing  their  lives.  Accordingly  they 
wept,  and  ivent,  and  supplied  the  fort  loith  grain.  When 
the  people  were  paid,  I  strictly  inquired  whether  any  of 
the  Christians  had  taken  from  them  a  present.  They  all 
said,  'No,  no!  As  we  were  regularly  paid,  we  offered  to 
your  catechist  a  cloth  of  small  value,  but  he  absolutely 
refused  it.' 

"  But  Mr.  M.  Campbell  says,  that  the  Christians  are 
profligate  to  a  proverb.  If  he  were  near  me,  I  would 
explain  to  him  who  are  the  profligate  people  who  drain  the 
country.  When  a  dubash,  in  the  space  of  ten  or  fifteen 
years,  scrapes  together  two,  three,  or  four  lacks  of  pagodas, 
is  not  this  extortion  a  high  degree  of  profligacy  ?  Nay, 
government  was  obliged  to  send  an  order,  that  three  of 
those  Gentoo  dubashes  should  quit  the  Tanjore  country. 
The  enormous  crimes  committed  by  them,  filled  the 
country  with  complaints  ;  but  I  have  no  mind  to  enumerate 
them. 

"It  is  asserted,  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  country 
would  suffer  by  missionaries.  If  they  are  sincere  Chris- 
tians, it  is  impossible  that  the  inhabitants  should  suffer 
any  damage  by  them ;  if  they  are  not  what  they  profess 
to  be,  they  ought  to  be  dismissed. 

"  When  Sir  Archibald  Campbell  was  governor,  and 
Mr.  M.  Campbell  his  private  secretary,  the  inhabitants  of 
Tanjore  were  so  miserably  oppressed  by  the  manager  and 
the  Madras  dubashes,  that  they  quitted  the  country.  Of 
course,  all  cultivation  ceased.  In  the  month  of  June  it 
should  commence  ;  but  nothing  was  done,  even  at  the 
beginning  of  September.  Every  one  dreaded  the  calamity 
of  a  famine.  I  entreated  the  rajah  to  remove  that  shame- 
ful oppression,  and  to  recall  the  inhabitants.  He  sent 
them  word  that  justice  should  be  done  to  them  ;  but  they 
disbelieved  his  promises.  He  then  desired  me  to  write  to 
them,  and  to  assure  them,  that  he,  at  my  intercession, 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  341 

would  show  kindness  to  them.  I  did  so.  All  immediately 
returned  ;  and  first  of  all,  the  kallar,  (or,  as  they  are  com- 
monly called,  coUaries,)  believed  my  word  ;  so  that  seven 
thousand  men  came  back  on  one  day.  The  other  inhab- 
itants followed  their  example.  When  I  exhorted  them  to 
exert  themselves  to  the  utmost,  because  the  time  for  cul- 
tivation was  almost  lost,  they  replied  in  the  following 
manner: — 'As  you  have  shotoed  kindness  to  us,  you  shall 
not  have  reason  to  repent  of  it:  we  intend  to  work  night 
and  day,  to  show  our  regard  for  you.'  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell  was  happy  when  ho  heard  of  it;  and  we  had  the 
satisfaction  of  having  a  better  crop  than  the  preceding 
year. 

"As  there  was  hardly  any  administration  of  justice,  I 
begged  and  entreated  the  rajah  to  establish  it  in  his  coun- 
try. *  Well,'  said  he,  '  let  me  know  wherein  my  people 
are  oppressed.'  I  did  so.  He  immediately  consented  to 
my  proposal,  and  told  his  manager,  that  he  should  feel  his 
indignation,  if  the  oppression  did  not  cease  immediately. 
But  as  he  soon  died,  he  did  not  see  the  execution. 

"  When  the  present  rajah  began  his  reign,  I  put  Sir 
Archibald  Campbell  in  mind  of  that  necessary  point.  He 
desired  me  to  make  a  plan  for  a  court  of  justice  ;  which 
I  did ;  but  it  was  soon  neglected  by  the  servants  of  the 
rajah,  who  commonly  sold  justice  to  the  best  bidder. 

"  When  the  honorable  Company  took  possession  of  the 
country,  during  the  war,  the  plan  for  introducing  justice 
was  reassumed ;  by  which  many  people  were  made 
happy.  But  when  it  was  restored  to  the  rajah,  the  former 
irregularities  took  place. 

"  During  the  assumption,  government  desired  me  to 
assist  the  gentlemen  collectors.  The  district  towards  the 
west  of  Tanjore  had  been  very  much  neglected,  so  that 
the  water-courses  had  not  been  cleansed  for  the  last  fifteen 
years.  I  proposed  that  the  collector  should  advance  five 
hundred  pagodas  to  cleanse  them.  He  consented,  if  I 
would  inspect  the  business.  The  work  was  begun  and 
finished,  being  superintended  by  Christians.  All  that 
part  of  the  country  rejoiced  in  getting  one  hundred  thou- 
sand kalams  more  than  before.  The  inhabitants  confessed 
that,  instead  of  one  kalam,  they  now  reaped  four. 

"  No  native  has  suffered  by  Christians  ;  none  has  com- 
plained of  it.  On  the  contrary,  one  of  the  richest  in- 
29* 


343  MEMOIRS   OF 

habitants  said  to  me,  *  Sir,  if  you  send  a  person  to  us, 
send  us  one  wiio  has  learned  all  your  ten  commandments.' 
For  he  and  many  hundred  natives  had  been  present 
when  I  explained  the  Christian  doctrine  to  heathen  and 
Christians. 

"  The  inhabitants  dread  the  conduct  of  a  Madras 
dubash.  These  people  lend  money  to  the  rajah,  at  an 
exorbitant  interest,  and  then  are  permitted  to  collect  their 
money  and  interest  in  an  appointed  district.*  It  is  need- 
less to  mention  the  consequences. 

"  When  the  collaries  committed  great  outrages,  in  their 
plundering  expeditions,  sepoys  were  sent  out  to  adjust 
matters;  but  it  had  no  effect.  Government  desired  me  to 
inquire  into  that  thievish  business.  I  therefore  sent  letters 
to  the  head  collaries.  They  appeared.  We  found  out, 
in  some  degree,  how  much  the  Tanjore  and  Tondiman's 
and  the  nabob's  collaries,  had  stolen;  and  we  insisted 
upon  restoration,  which  was  done  accordingly.  At  last, 
all  gave  it  in  writing,  that  they  would  steal  no  more. 
This  promise  they  kept  very  well  for  eight  months,  and 
then  they  began  their  old  work  ;  however,  not  as  before. 
Had  that  inspection  over  their  conduct  been  continued, 
they  might  have  been  made  useful  people.  I  insisted 
upon  their  cultivating  their  fields,  which  they  readily  did. 
But  if  the  demands  become  exorbitant,  they  have  no 
resource,  as  they  think,  but  of  plundering. 

"  At  length,  some  of  the  thievish  collaries  desired  to  be 
instructed.  1  said,  '  I  am  obliged  to  instruct  you  ;  but  I 
am  afraid  that  you  will  prove  very  bad  Christians.'  Their 
promises  were  fair.  I  instructed  them  ;  and  when  they 
had  a  tolerable  knowledge,  I  baptized  them.  I  then 
exhorted  them  to  steal  no  more,  but  to  work  industriously. 
After  that,  I  visited  them,  and,  having  examined  their 
knowledge,  I  desired  to  see  their  work.  T  observed  with 
pleasure,  that  their  fields  were  excellently  cultivated. 
'  Now,'  said  I,  '  one  thing  remains  to  be  done.  You  must 
pay  your  tribute  readily,  and  not  wait  till  it  is  exacted  by 
military  force  ;'  which,  otherwise,  is  their  custom.  Soon 
after  that,  I   found  that  they  had  paid  off  their  tribute 

*  This  flagrant  abuse  was  a  few  years  afterwards  corrected,  by  the 
transfer  of  Ibe  collection  of  the  revenue  from  the  rajah  to  the  East 
India  Company. 


THE   REV.   C.   F.   SWARTZ.  343 

exactly.  The  only  complaint  against  those  Christian 
collaries  was,  that  they  refused  to  go  upon  plundering 
expeditions,  as  they  had  done  before. 

"  Now,  I  am  well  aware  that  some  will  accuse  me  of 
having  boasted.  I  confess  the  charge  willingly,  but  lay 
all  the  blame  upon  those  who  have  constrained  me  to  com- 
mit that  folly.  I  might  have  enlarged  my  account ;  but, 
fearing  that  some  characters  would  have  suffered  by  it, 
I  stop  here.  One  thing,  however,  I  affirm,  before  God  and 
man,  that  if  Christianity,  in  its  plain  and  undis- 
guised FORM,  WERE  PROPERLY  PROMOTED,  THE  COUNTRY 
WOULD  NOT  SUFFER,  BUT  BE  BENEFITED  BY  IT. 

"  If  Christians  were  employed  in  some  important 
offices,  they  should,  if  they  misbehaved,  be  doubly  pun- 
ished ;  but  to  reject  them  entirely,  is  not  right,  and  dis- 
couraofeth. 

*'  The  glorious  God  and  our  blessed  Redeemer,  com- 
manded his  apostles  to  preach  the  gospel  to  all  nations. 
The  knowledge  of  God,  of  his  divine  perfections,  and 
of  his  mercy  to  mankind,  may  be  abused  ;  but  there  is 
no  other  method  of  reclaiming  men,  than  by  instructing 
them  well.  To  hope  that  the  heathens  will  lead  a  good 
life,  without  the  knowledge  of  God,  is  a  chimera. 

"  The  praise  bestowed  on  the  heathens  of  this  country 
by  many  of  our  historians,  is  refuted  by  a  close  (I  might 
almost  say,  a  superficial)  inspection  of  their  lives.  Many 
historical  works  are  more  like  a  romance  than  history. 
Many  gentlemen  here  are  astonished  how  some  historians 
have  prostituted  their  talents  by  writing  fables. 

"I  am  now  on  the  brink  of  eternity  ;  but  to  this  mo- 
ment I  declare  that  I  do  not  repent  of  having  spent  forty- 
three  years  here  in  the  service  of  my  divine  Master.  Who 
knows  but  God  may  remove  some  of  the  great  obstacles 
to  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  ?  Should  a  reformation 
take  place  amongst  the  Europeans,  it  would  no  doubt  be 
the  greatest  blessing  to  the  country. 

"  These  observations  I  beg  leave  to  lay  before  the 
honorable  Society,  with  my  humble  thanks  for  all  their 
benefits  bestowed  on  this  work,  and  sincere  wishes  that 
their  pious  and  generous  endeavors  to  disseminate  the 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  Jesus  Christ,  may  be  beneficial 
to  many  thousands. 


344  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  I  am  sincerely,  Reverend  and  dear  Sir,  your  affec- 
tionate brother  and  humble  servant, 

"C.    F.    SWARTZ." 

Various  reflections  present  themselves  on  the  perusal 
of  this  admirable  letter.  The  circumstance  which  oc- 
casioned it,  and  which  proved  to  have  been  so  entirely 
distorted  and  misrepresented  by  Mr.  Montgomery  Camp- 
bell, affords  a  striking  example  of  the  little  dependence 
which  can  be  placed  on  accounts  of  missionaries  and  their 
proceedings,  which  are  not  unfrequently  given  to  the  world 
by  those  who  boast  of  their  personal  and  local  knowledge ; 
but  who  are  either  unfriendly  or  indifferent  to  the  propa- 
gation of  Christianity  in  heathen  countries.  It  is  remark- 
able, also,  that  a  few  months  only  before  Mr.  Campbell 
brought  forward  his  charges  against  the  converts  on  the 
coast  of  Coromandel,  the  important  reformation  which 
Swartz  details  had  been  effected,  by  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  his  labors,  among  the  very  class  of  people  who  had 
been  so  unjustly  stigmatized  as  Christian  thieves.  The 
pagan  collaries,  in  consequence,  assembled,  and  threatened 
to  extirpate  Christianity  out  of  their  country  ;  but  were, 
at  length,  persuaded,  by  the  exhortations  of  Swartz  and 
his  catechists,  and  the  mild  and  patient  conduct  of  their 
converted  countrymen,  to  desist  from  their  opposition,  and 
returned  to  their  habitations  in  peace. 

Nothing  can  be  more  convincing  and  triumphant  than 
the  evidence  thus  adduced  in  favor  of  the  beneficial  in- 
fluence of  Christianity  on  the  temporal  interests  of  heathen 
nations ;  while  the  singular  ability,  the  genuine  modesty, 
and  the  elevated  piety  of  the  venerable  missionary,  throw 
additional  light  on  the  extraordinary  excellence  of  his 
character,  and  the  value  of  his  Christian  labors.  It  is 
but  justice  to  Mr.  Campbell  to  add,  that  on  finding  how 
completely  Swartz  had  replied  to  his  misrepresentations, 
he  wrote  and  apologized  to  him  ;  and  excused  himself  by 
assuring  him  that  his  speech  had  been  erroneously  re- 
ported in  the  newspapers.  It  can  scarcely  be  regretted 
that  any  statement,  however  inaccurate,  should  have  been 
the  occasion  of  calling  forth  so  noble  a  defence  of  his 
mission,  and  so  fine  an  illustration  of  his  character,  as  the 
preceding  letter  affords. 

The  correspondence  of  Swartz,  never  very  extensive 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  345 

or  voluminous,  was  now  becoming  less  frequent  and  com- 
municative ;  and  his  letters,  like  the  visits  of  those  angelic 
spirits  with  whom  he  was  ere  long  to  be  associated,  were 
"few  and  far  between."  The  following  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Duffin  was  written  in  this  year,  and  proves  how  vigorously 
he  was  still  engaged  in  duty,  how  watchfully  he  was 
trimming  his  lamp,  how  sincerely  he  loved  his  friends, 
and  how  ardently  he  was  aspiring  to  the  happiness  of 
eternity. 

"  My  dear  Friends, — Your  kind  letters  of  Dec.  30, 
1792,  and  10th  of  April,  1793,  I  have  received,  and 
rejoice  that  you  are  so  happily  situated  in  the  company 
of  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Flint. 

"  I  bless  God  that  in  my  sixty-eighth  year  I  can  go 
through  all  my  duties  with  tolerable  ease.  Some  months 
ago  I  visited  Cuddalore  and  Negapatam,  when  I  com- 
monly preached  thrice  every  day,  viz.  in  English,  Portu- 
guese, and  Malabar.  My  dear  friends  here  are  likewise 
well.  Mr.  Kohlhoff  thinks  often  of  you  and  the  kindness 
you  showed  him  at  Warriore.  Your  letters  I  communi 
cated  to  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Knox.  Both  are  well,  with 
their  daughter.  The  place  they  do  not  like  ;  almost  two 
thirds  of  the  people  died  by  a  dreadful  famine  which 
lasted  three  years. 

"  Whether  I  shall  write  again  is  uncertain.  Our  time, 
our  life,  is  in  the  hands  of  God.  One  thing  is  certain, 
namely,  that  wt  must  die.  But  if  we  die  in  the  Lord, 
united  to  Jesus,  interested  in  his  atonement,  and  actuated, 
at  least  in  some  degree,  by  his  Spirit,  and  having  a  well- 
grounded  hope  of  everlasting  life,  all  is  well — Death  has 
lost  his  sting,  that  is,  his  power  to  hurt  us.  O  blessed 
eternity  ! 

"  You  know,  my  dear  friends,  that  I  have  loved  you. 
I  love  you  still.  My  love  was  not  founded  on  a  selfish 
interest.  No,  I  wish  to  see  you  in  a  happy  eternity. 
There  we  shall  praise  him  who  has  redeemed  us  with  his 
blood,  and  sanctified  us  with  his  Spirit. 

"  Wherever  we  are,  we  are  tempted  by  the  world — by 
the  fine,  polite  world  above  all.  '  Love  not  the  world,' 
its  proud,  ambitious,  covetous  and  sensual  conduct.  Love 
Him  who  laid  down  his  life  for  us. 

"  Remember  me  to  Colonel  and  Mrs.  F.     Tell  them 


346  MEMOIRS  OF 

that  I  wish  to  be  with  them  in  the  house  of  my  heavenly 
Father.  I  am  now  on  the  brink  of  eternity.  Oh  !  when 
shall  I  see  God,  and  praise  him  for  ever?  When  shall 
I  be  perfectly  wise,  holy,  and  happy — when  shall  I  live 
for  ever  ? 

"  To  the  love  of  God  and  Jesus  Christ,  I  commend 
you  both,  and  Colonel  and  Mrs.  F.,  and  am  sincerely,  to 
the  last  breath  of  my  life,  dear  friends,  your  most  obedi- 
ent humble  servant." 

On  the  10th  of  April  1795,  he  wrote  as  follows  to  the 
same  friends. 

*•  I  praise  God  for  his  mercy  which  he  has  bestowed 
upon  me.  Though  I  am  now  in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of 
my  age,  I  still  am  able  to  perform  the  ordinary  functions 
of  my  office.  Of  sickness  I  know  little  or  nothing.  How 
long  I  am  to  say  so,  my  Creator  and  Preserver  knows. 
My  only  comfort  is  the  redemption  made  by  Jesus  Christ. 
He  is,  and  shall  be,  my  wisdom.  By  him  I  have  received 
the  salutary  knowledge  which  leads  me  to  the  favor  of 
God.  He  is  my  righteousness.  By  his  atonement  I  have 
pardon  of  my  sins  ;  being  clothed  in  his  righteousness, 
my  sins  will  not  appear  in  judgment  against  me — they 
are  blotted  out  by  the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus.  He  is  like- 
wise my  sanctification.  In  his  holy  life  I  best  learn  the 
whole  will  of  God,  and  by  his  Spirit  I  shall  daily  be 
encouraged  and  strengthened  to  hate  every  sin,  and  to 
walk  in  the  way  of  the  commandments  of  God.  He  is, 
and  I  hope  he  will  be,  my  redemption.  By  him  I  shall 
be  delivered  from  all  evil,  and  made  eternally  happy. 

"Let  others  glory  in  what  they  please  :  1  will  glory  in 
Christ  Jesus,  the  only  and  perfect  author  of  all  happiness. 
Should  I  presume  to  rely  on  my  own  virtue,  I  should 
despair.  Though  I  heartily  wish  to  obey  God,  and  follow 
the  example  of  my  Saviour ;  though  I  will  endeavor  by 
the  grace  of  God  to  subdue  my  inclination  to  sin — yet  in 
all  this  there  is,  and  ever  must  be,  imperfection  ;  so  that 
I  dare  not  stand  upon  so  rotten  a  ground.  But  to  win 
Christ,  and  to  be  found  in  him,  in  life  and  death,  and 
even  in  the  day  of  judgment,  was  St.  Paul's  wish  ;  this 
has  been  the  wish  of  all  genuine  Christians ;  this  shall 
be  mine  as  long  as  I  breathe.  This  was  not  a  peculiarity 
in  St.  Paul's  character.     No  ;  he  admonishes  all  to  follow 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ,  347 

him  in  this  point.  This  close  adherence  to  Christ  will 
not  make  us  indolent  in  the  pursuit  of  holiness.  It  will 
rather  impel,  strengthen,  and  cheer  us  in  the  work  of 
true  and  Christian  holiness.  St.  Paul  wished  to  be  made 
like  unto  the  death  of  Jesus,  which  is  the  summit  of  true 
holiness. 

"  As  this,  perhaps,  may  be  my  last  letter  to  you,  I 
cannot  but  entreat  you  to  follow  St.  Paul,  that  excellent 
pattern  of  true  goodness.  By  doing  so,  you  will  easily 
withstand  and  overcome  the  temptations  of  a  vain  world  ; 
you  will  live  and  die  in  peace  ;  and,  at  last,  be  received 
into  glory. 

"  We  have  known  one  another  a  long  time  on  earth. 
May  we  know  one  another  in  a  blessed  eternity,  where 
sin  and  sorrow  never  shall  disturb  us  !  Watch  and  pray, 
that  ye  may  be  accounted  worthy  to  stand  before  the  Son 
of  man,  your  redeemer." 

With  this  truly  apostolic  letter,  in  which,  after  the 
example  of  St.  Paul  himself,  he  wrote  "the  same  things," 
but  which  to  him,  as  to  every  real  Christian,  were  ever 
new,  and  ever  supremely  interesting  and  important, 
Swartz,  as  he  had  anticipated,  closed  his  invaluable  cor- 
respondence with  these  beloved  friends ;  one  of  whom 
still  survives,  and  retains,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  in  all 
their  freshness  and  fervor,  the  reverence  and  affection 
which  the  virtues  of  this  extraordinary  man  had  so  justly 
inspired. 

It  will  be  remembered,  that  when  the  widows  and  the 
adopted  son  of  the  late  rajah  of  Tanjore  were,  in  the  year 
1793,  at  their  earnest  request,  removed  to  Madras,  it  was 
stated  that  one  of  their  chief  objects  was  to  bring  before 
the  notice  of  government  the  claims  of  Serfojee  to  the 
succession  to  the  musnud,  founded  upon  a  variety  of  cir- 
cumstances which  had  transpired  since  the  decision  of 
Sir  Archibald  Campbell  in  favor  of  Ameer  Sing.  Soon 
after  their  arrival,  Mr.  Swartz  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Marquess  Cornwallis,  to  part  of  which  reference  has  been 
already  made,  in  which  he  gave  a  brief  sketch  of  the 
history  of  Serfojee  from  the  period  of  his  adoption  to  that 
of  his  removal  to  Madras. 

The  question  respecting  the  validity  of  Serfojee's  adop- 
tion having  been  thus  formally  revived,  doubtless,  occu- 


348  MEMOIRS   OF 

pied  the  immediate  attention  of  government;  but  the  time 
necessarily  required  for  the  transmission  and  examination 
of  the  various  documents  upon  which  the  determination 
of  it  depended,  not  only  to  Bengal,  but  also  to  the  Court 
of  Directors,  occasioned  considerable  delay. 

During  this  interval,  the  mal-administration  of  affairs 
in  Tanjore  continued,  and  even  increased.  Conflicting 
representations  were  made  by  the  rajah  and  the  resident 
to  the  Madras  government,  the  former  complaining  par- 
ticularly of  the  endeavors  which  were  making  to  invalidate 
his  title  to  the  throne,  and  urging  in  the  strongest  manner 
the  objections  which  had  originally  prevailed  to  set  aside 
the  claims  of  Serfojee.  These  appear  to  have  been  for- 
warded to  Calcutta,  where  Sir  John  Shore,  now  Lord 
Teignmouth,  had  succeeded  the  Marquess  Cornwallis  as 
governor-general  of  India,  and  to  have  been  taken  into 
the  deliberate  consideration  of  the  president  in  council. 
In  a  minute,  transmitted  by  that  excellent  and  distin- 
guished person,  to  the  Court  of  Directors,  the  following 
passage  occurs;  which  is  so  honorable  at  once  to  the  dis- 
criminating judgment  of  the  governor-general,  and  to  the 
character  of  Mr.  Swartz,  that  it  is  gratifying  to  have  the 
opportunity  of  inserting  it  in  these  Memoirs. 

"  Admitting  that  the  authors  of  the  rajah  of  Tanjore's 
correspondence  are  interested  on  the  one  side,  and  the 
resident  and  Mr.  Swartz  are  committed  on  the  other,  it 
may  be  a  matter  for  consideration  to  which  of  the  parties 
credit  ought  to  be  given.  The  president  has  no  hesitation 
in  declaring,  that  upon  every  material  point  he  totally  dis- 
believes every  circumstance  that  has  been  urged  in  the 
rajah's  letters,  which  goes  to  a  contradiction  of  the  repre- 
sentations of  the  resident. 

"  With  regard  to  Mr.  Swartz,  whose  name  the  president 
has  never  heard  mentioned  without  respect,  and  who  is  as 
distinguished  for  the  sanctity  of  his  manners,  as  for  bis 
ardent  zeal  in  the  promulgation  of  his  religion ;  whose 
years,  without  impairing  his  understanding,  have  added 
weight  to  his  character  ;  and  whose  situation  has  enabled 
him  to  be  the  protector  of  the  oppressed,  and  the  com- 
forter of  the  afflicted;  who,  a  preacher  of  the  Christian 
faith,  and  a  man  without  influence,  except  from  character, 
was  held  in  such  estimation  by  the  late  rajah,  a  Hindoo 
prince,  approaching  to  his  dissolution,  that  he  thought  him 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  349 

the  fittest  person  he  could  consult  concerning  the  man- 
agement of  his  country,  during  the  minority  of  his  adopted 
son  Serfojee;  and  who,  displaying  more  integrity  than 
foresight,  in  the  advice  he  gave,  did  certainly  not  prove 
himself  the  enemy  of  Ameer  Sing,  since,  at  his  suggestion, 
he  was  named  Regent — to  the  solemn  assurance  of  such 
a  man,  the  president  is  compelled  to  declare  his  unqualified 
assent;  and,  upon  his  information,  he  can  easily  reconcile 
the  difference  between  the  personal  declarations  and  the 
letters  of  the  rajah." 

Though  it  is  by  no  means  intended  to  enter  minutely 
into  the  political  affairs  of  Tanjore  at  this  period,  and  the 
venerable  subject  of  these  memoirs  ever  anxiously  avoided, 
as  far  as  his  sense  of  duty  would  permit,  any  interference 
of  this  nature,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  the  elucidation 
of  his  conduct  upon  the  present  occasion,  to  refer  to 
various  circumstances  respecting  which  he  was  required 
to  give  his  deliberate  opinion  and  advice.  Living  as  he 
had  done,  during  so  many  years,  in  habits  of  friendly  and 
confidential  intercourse  with  the  principal  persons  at  the 
court  of  Tanjore,  as  well  as  with  others  of  all  ranks,  he 
necessarily  acquired  a  clearer  insight  into  the  secret 
springs  and  motives  of  action  of  those  around  him,  than 
could  be  obtained  by  any  other  individual.  The  conse- 
quence of  this  extensive  information,  combined  with  his 
perfect  integrity  and  independence,  was,  that,  by  degrees, 
he  was  con)pelled  to  take  a  part,  directly  or  indirectly,  in 
almost  every  public  transaction  connected  with  Tanjore. 
"The  good,"  as  it  has  been  happily  expressed  by  a  sub- 
sequent distinguished  resident  at  that  court,*  "  naturally 
desired  his  advice  and  assistance,  the  bad  were  anxious  to 
obtain  the  sanction  of  his  respectable  name." 

The  supreme  government  having,  upon  just  and  elevated 
principles,  resolved  on  fully  investigating  the  subject  of 
the  succession  to  Tanjore,  in  addition  to  the  representa- 
tions and  documents,  which  had  been  already  laid  before 
them  by  Mr.  Swartz  and  the  widows,  called  upon  Mr. 
Macleod,  the  late  resident,  to  state  all  that  he  knew  or 
believed  relative  to  the  right  of  Ameer  Sing  to  the  musnud. 
In  reply  to  this  requisition,  he  transmitted  a  clear  and 

*  Colonel  Blackburne. 
30 


350  MEMOIRS   OF 

minute  detail  of  all  the  circumstances  connected  with  it. 
From  this  important  document,*  it  appears  that  soon  after 
the  decision  in  favor  of  Ameer  Sing,  opinions  and  sur- 
mises beginning  to  be  very  prevalent  at  Tanjore,  as  to  the 
legality  of  his  title,  the  resident  was  induced  to  make 
various  inquiries  upon  the  subject.  He  found,  from  an- 
swers to  questions  sent  privately  to  natives  well  versed  in 
the  Hindoo  laws,  that  the  supposed  defects  in  the  adoption 
of  Serfojee,  were  of  no  validity,  and  incapable  of  being 
substantiated  by  authorities  from  the  shasters ;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  many  quotations,  purporting  to  be  from 
those  sacred  books,  were  produced,  which  clearly  evinced 
the  legality  of  all  the  forms  of  the  adoption. 

These  passages  were  furnished  by  some  of  the  pundits 
consulted  by  the  late  rajah  respecting  that  ceremony,  as 
well  as  by  other  learned  men  ;  and  though  the  resident 
could  not  himself  verify  their  genuineness,  the  presumption 
was  strongly  in  their  favor,  from  the  danger  of  detection, 
should  he  at  any  time  bring  them  publicly  forward.  Upon 
these  grounds,  he  felt  convinced  in  his  own  mind  of  the 
validity  of  the  adoption  ;  and  this  conviction  was  strength- 
ened by  the  circumstance,  already  noticed,  of  the  various 
rewards  bestowed  by  Ameer  Sing  upon  the  pundits,  who 
had  given  their  opinions  in  support  of  his  title.  He  fur- 
ther remarked,  that  these  opinions  were  unaccompanied 
by  any  authorities  from  the  shasters;  that  some  of  those 
pundits  were  incompetent  to  assert  any  thing  of  their  own 
knowledge  upon  the  subject ;  and  that  one  of  them  had 
actually  confessed,  and  persisted  to  the  hour  of  his  death 
in  acknowledging,  that  his  answers  had  been  given  under 
undue  influence. 

All  this  was  corroborated  by  the  treatment  of  Serfojee, 
while  confined  in  the  palace,  which  has  been  before  de- 
tailed, and  which  the  resident  had  felt  himself  bound  to 
represent  to  government,  in  order,  as  he  emphatically  ex- 
pressed it,  "  to  save  the  boy."  Of  the  severity  of  this 
treatment,  he  mentioned  one  remarkable  proof,  in  addition 
to  what  has  been  previously  stated.  About  three  months 
after  the  death  of  Tuljajee,  he  and  Mr.  Swartz  were 
sitting  with  the  rajah,  waiting  for  Serfojee,  who  had  been 
desired  to  attend  them.     When  he  made  his  appearance, 

*  Madras  Inclosures,  vol.  xxii.  p.  715. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  351 

"  the  child,"  says  Mr.  Macleod,  "was  so  dreadfully  al- 
tered, that  though  we  saw  him  iti  his  approach  down  the 
length  of  an  open  colonnade,  we  did  not  know  him,  till 
he  came  within  three  or  four  yards  of  us :  he  had  become 
emaciated  and  dejected  to  the  greatest  degree.  He  was 
reduced  to  this  deplorable  state,  by  a  series  of  acts  which 
sufficiently  evinced  that  the  intention  of  those  who  di- 
rected them  was  to  remove  the  boy,  whose  right  they  con- 
sidered the  only  obstacle  to  the  rajah's  quiet  possession  of 
the  throne.  It  was  at  this  crisis,"  he  adds,  "  that  govern- 
ment interposed." 

Such  is  the  outline  of  the  case  respecting  the  conflict- 
ing claims  of  Serfojee  and  Ameer  Sing  to  the  musnud  of 
Tanjore.  To  the  English  government  the  decision  of  this 
question  was  a  matter  of  comparative  indifference,  inas- 
much as  the  determination  of  it  in  favor  of  either  party, 
could  not  materially  affect  its  interests  and  influence  in 
the  country.  It  was,  therefore,  with  perfect  integrity  and 
impartiality  that  this  important  investigation  was  under- 
taken ;  and  the  result  of  it  was  regulated  by  the  clearest 
and  most  convincing  evidence. 

To  Swartz  himself  it  must  have  been  a  source  of  heart- 
felt satisfaction,  that  he  had  lived  to  conduct  the  cause  of 
Serfojee  so  nearly  to  its  successful  issue.  It  awaited  only 
the  final  decision  of  the  Court  of  Directors,  which  was 
confidently  anticipated,  but  which  did  not  arrive  till  the 
venerable  friend  of  the  young  prince  had  ceased  to  take 
any  interest  in  the  affairs,  however  important,  of  this 
earthly  scene. 

In  returning  to  the  general  narrative  of  the  year  179C, 
it  may  be  observed,  that  about  this  period  Mr.  Swartz  was 
requested  to  give  some  instruction  in  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion  to  the  son  of  a  gentleman  then  resident 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Tanjore,  who  afterwards  filled  a 
distinguished  station  in  the  public  service  of  India,*  and 
who  still  evinces  a  lively  interest  in  all  that  relates  to  the 
welfare  of  our  Oriental  empire.  "  I  well  remember,"  says 
that  learned  and  eminent  person,  "  his  peculiarly  vener- 
able and  impressive  appearance,  the  tall  and  erect  figure, 
the  head  white  with  years,  the  features  on  which  I  loved 

*  The  Right  Honorable  Sir  Alexander  Johnstone,  late  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  Ceylon, 


352  MEMOIRS   OF 

to  look,  ihe  mingled -dignity  and  amenity  of  his  demeanor. 
To  his  pupils,  he  was  more  like  a  parent  than  a  precep- 
tor."* The  testimony  to  the  revered  missionary  is,  we 
perceive,  the  same  from  every  quarter,  and  the  impression 
of  his  mild  and  attractive  virtues,  even  on  the  youngest 
mind,  deep  and  indelible. 

In  a  letter  to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian 
Knowledge,  dated  Tanjore,  June  28,  1796,  Mr.  Svvartz 
gratefully  mentions  "  God's  preservation  of  his  life  and 
health  to  the  extent  of  nearly  seventy  years,  and  his  ability 
still  to  go  through  his  work  in  church  and  school,  even 
without  being  much  fatigued," 

Towards  the  close  of  this  year,  the  Society  succeeded 
in  obtaining,  through  Professor  Schultz,  of  Halle,  two 
candidates  for  the  mission  in  India,  one  of  whom  was 
destined  to  the  Calcutta  station,  and  the  other  to  the  coast 
of  Coromandel.  The  earnest  wishes  so  repeatedly  ex- 
pressed by  Svvartz  for  fresh  laborers,  were  thus,  it  was 
hoped,  likely  to  be  realized  ;  and  in  the  spring  of  the 
following  year,  after  a  very  able  and  eloquent  charge  by 
the  late  Archdeacon  Owen,  who  had  himself  served  with 
distinction  as  one  of  the  chaplains  to  the  presidency  of 
Calcutta,  in  which,  in  common  with  his  predecessors  in 
this  solemn  duty,  he  spoke  of  Swartz,  as  of  one  "  whose 
praise  in  the  gospel  is  indeed  great,"  Messrs.  Ringeltaube 
and  Holtzberg  embarked  for  India.  Of  these  mission- 
aries, however,  one  soon  quitted  the  service  of  the  Society, 
and  the  other,  whose  arrival  cheered  for  a  time  the  de- 
clining days  of  his  venerable  superior,  had  unhappily 
imbibed  the  Neologian  views,  which  already  pervaded  the 
German  Universities,  and,  though  spared  for  several  years, 
diminished  instead  of  augmenting  the  strength  and  ef- 
ficiency of  the  mission. 

The  affection  of  Svvartz  for  his  admirable  friend  and 
fellow-laborer,  Gericke,  has  already  appeared.  In  his 
journal  for  this  year,  he  tlius  touchingly  refers  to  a  do- 
mestic affliction  of  this  excellent  man,  and  repeats  the 
testimony  which  he  had  previously  borne  to  his  character. 

"  The  Lord  preserve  our  dear  brother  Gericke  !  His 
daughter's  early  death  affected  him  deeply.  His  humility, 
contentment,  and  disinterested  conduct,  are  observed  and 

*  Lives  of  Eminent  Missionaries,  p.  1C9. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  353 

appreciated,  both  by  heathens  and  Christians.  I  cannot 
sufficiently  praise  God  for  granting  me  such  a  humble, 
unwearied,  and  attentive  fellow-laborer.  He  works  from 
morning  to  night,  and  is  always  content." 

On  his  seventieth  birth-day,  Swartz  addressed  to  his 
friend,  Professor  Schultz,  the  following  devout  and  inter- 
esting effusion. 

«  Tanjore,  Oct.  8, 1796. 

"  Ebenezer  1  hitherto  the  Lord  has  helped  me.  To- 
day I  entered  upon  my  seventy-first  year.  O  the  riches 
of  his  grace,  compassion,  and  forbearance,  which  I  have 
experienced  during  seventy  years !  Praise,  honor,  and 
adoration,  are  due  to  a  gracious  God,  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  for  the  numerous  proofs  of  his  abounding 
grace.  Who  am  I,  poor  wretched  sinner,  that  thou  hast 
led  me  till  now  ?  O  my  God,  forsake  me  not  in  my  old 
age,  but  let  me  record,  for  the  encouragement  of  others, 
the  mercy  which  has  spared,  pardoned,  and  comforted 
rae;  and  may  they  be  induced  to  put  their  trust  in  thee ! 

"  I  am  still  able  to  go  through  the  labor  of  instructing 
both  young  and  old,  without  being  over  fatigued.  This 
duty  is  so  great  a  refreshment  to  me,  that  I  heartily 
praise  God  for  continued  health  and  strength  to  declare 
to  heathens  and  Christians  his  name,  who  has  sent  Christ 
as  a  Saviour,  and  made  him  'our  wisdom  and  rii^hteous- 
ness,  sanctification  and  redemption.'  Let  worldlings  boast 
as  much  as  they  please  ;  my  boast  is  in  the  Lord,  from 
whom  alone  cometh  my  salvation." 

The  following  extract  from  another  letter  intimates  his 
knowledge  of  the  painful  departure  of  some  of  the  German 
churches  from  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  tlie  gospel  ; 
and  while  adverting  to  his  continued,  but  necessarily 
decreasing  labors,  announces  his  watchful  preparation  for 
a  higher  world. 

"Our  circumstances  are  rather  depressing,  but  the 
Lord  is  never  at  a  loss  for  means.  He  can  send  forth 
laborers  into  his  vineyard.  Alas !  the  faithful  laborers 
are  few. 

"  The  present  condition  of  the  churches  in  Germany 
is  truly  deplorable.  They  have  invented  a  gospel  to  which 
30* 


354  MEMOIRS  OF 

St.  Paul  and  the  other  apostles  were  entire  strangers. 
Many  reject  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement,  and  of  the 
sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  I  have  now  attained  my  seventieth  year.  Hitherto 
the  Lord  has  preserved  and  protected  me.  I  cannot  any 
longer  undertake  distant  excursions  to  the  heathen  ;  but 
am  still  able  to  perform  my  ordinary  functions,  both  in 
church  and  school.  I  also  pay  occasional  visits  to  such 
Christians  as  are  dispersed  in  the  vicinity,  for  which  I 
humbly  praise  God.  I  have  till  now  personally  instructed 
all  those  who  wished  to  be  baptized,  or  to  receive  the 
holy  supper. 

"  How  much  longer  God  may  permit  me  to  occupy  my 
station,  is  known  to  him  alone.  '  My  times  are  in  his 
hands.'  He  has  heard  my  unworthy  prayer,  that  I  might 
not  become  quite  useless  in  old  age.  I  consider  it  one 
of  my  highest  privileges  that  I  can  still  daily  proclaim  his 
name,  both  among  Christians  and  heathens.  A  few  months 
ago,  I  seemed  standing  on  the  borders  of  eternity,  being 
suddenly  seized  with  a  painful  oppression  on  my  chest. 
I  consider  it  as  a  summons  from  my  Lord,  to  hold  myself 
in  readiness,  at  whatsoever  hour  he  may  come." 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  355 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Closing  period  of  Mr.  Swartz's  life — Letters  to  Mrs.  Chambers,  and 
to  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge — His  prefei- 
ence  of  Celibacy  for  a  Missionary — Reflections  on  his  opinion — 
His  last  report  to  the  Society — Mr.  Gericke  communicates  the 
intelligence  of  his  dangerous  Illness,  and  announces  his  Death — 
Details  of  those  events  by  Mr.  Gericke,  and  Mr.  Kohlhoff. 

In  entering  upon  the  closing  period  of  Mr.  Swartz's  life, 
the  following  letter  to  Mrs.  Chambers,  written  at  the 
commencement  of  the  year  1797,  will  show  his  true 
Christian  affection  for  the  widow  and  children  of  his  be- 
loved friend,  and  the  strength  and  elevation  of  his  piety. 

"  Tanjore,  Jan.  20,  1797. 

"  Dear  madam, — I  have  received  your  kind  letter  along 
with  the  little  books  for  the  benefit  of  the  children.*  They 
have  been  highly  pleased  with  them,  and  have  frequently 
perused  them. 

"  The  account  you  have  been  pleased  to  give  me  of 
your  and  my  deceased  friend's  children  is,  as  you  may 
readily  conceive,  rejoicing  my  heart.  Your  children  are 
your  treasure,  which,  if  they  are  well  educated,  you  will 
find  in  heaven  ;  whereas  all  other  things  will  leave  you. 
The  modern  way  of  educating  children  is  far  from  being 
hopeful.  To  make  them  useful  members  of  society  is 
good;  but  to  make  them  genuine  disciples  of  Jesus  is  in- 
finitely better. 

"  You  mention  the  present  corruption  of  the  clergy. 
At  the  same  time  you  pleasingly  add,  that  in  the  midst  of 

*  Doubtless  those  of  his  schools. 


356  MEMOIRS   OF 

hirelings,  God  has  several  true  servants.  This  I  believe 
with  all  my  heart ;  and  in  spite  of  ridicule,  they  are  the 
pillars  which  support  the  state  more  than  all  political  ma- 
chines. 

"  I  rejoice  particularly  at  your  delight  in  abstaining 
from  the  fashionable  ways  of  the  world.  How  is  it  possi- 
ble to  preserve  faith,  love,  and  hope,  in  the  dissipations 
which  are  in  vogue  ?  Our  days  are  soon  gone.  Eternity 
is  at  hand.  What  will  a  poor  worldling  at  last  feel  when, 
leaving  the  world,  he  finds  himself  destitute  of  a  lively 
hope  of  a  blessed  eternity  ? 

"  But  how  comfortable  is  the  end  of  a  genuine  disciple 
of  Jesus  !  Adorned  with  his  righteousness,  justified  and 
absolved  from  sin,  having  the  joyful  testimony  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  he  quits  the  world  with  divine  comfort. 

"  How  animating  the  words  of  our  blessed  Saviour, 
'  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest ! '  None  but  the  Redeemer  is 
able  to  give  us  that  desirable  blessing.  Having  obtained 
mercy,  pardon,  and  peace  with  God,  well  may  we  take 
his  yoke  upon  us.  His  commandments  are  then  not  griev- 
ous ;  his  discipline,  and  even  sufferings,  are  salutary, 
promoting  our  internal  peace  of  mind. 

"  May  you,  dear  madam,  and  your  dear  children  walk 
in  the  light  of  his  countenance !  May  God  always  grant 
you  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost! 

"  Remember  me  to  Mr.  Grant,  and  assure  him  that  I 
frequently  remember  him.  In  his  present  situation  he 
may  do  much  good,  but  will  likewise  meet  with  many 
temptations.     May  he  be  strong  in  the  Lord  ! 

*•  I  remain  sincerely,  dear  madam,  your  affectionate 
friend,  C.  F.  Swautz. 

"  The  kind  present  which  you  left  for  me  in  the  hands 
of  my  dear  brother,  Mr.  Gericke,  I  have  received,  and 
thank  you  heartily  for  it." 

The  day  following,  Swartz  informed  the  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  that  through  the  divine 
mercy  Mr.  Kohlhoff  and  himself  had  been  preserved  in 
the  enjoyment  of  health  and  strength,  for  which  he  humbly 
praised  God.  He  particularly  mentioned  Mr.  JoGnicke  as 
indefatigable  in  his  missionary  labors.     He  reported  that 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  357 

in  the  Tamul  school,  in  which  fifty  boys  and  ten  girls 
were  educated,  two  of  the  senior  boys  were  instructed,  not 
only  in  the  doctrine,  but  also  in  the  evidences  of  Chris- 
tianity, in  order  to  their  being  hereafter  employed  as  school- 
masters and  catechists.  The  provincial  schools  at  Tanjore 
and  Cumbagonam  were  continued  as  before.  As  a  proof 
of  their  caution  in  the  admission  of  the  native  Christians 
to  divine  ordinances,  "  When  the  holy  sacrament,"  he 
observes,  "  is  administered,  we  admit  no  more  than  thirty 
or  forty  at  one  time,  that  we  may  be  able  to  ascertain  the 
knowledge  of  the  communicants  ;  but  that  all  may  have 
an  opportunity  to  receive,  it  is  administered  four  or  five 
Sundays  successively." 

In  conclusion,  he  assures  the  Society,  that  their  work 
of  love  in  that  country  was  not  altogether  fruitless ;  and 
that  many  would  bless  God  through  all  eternity,  for  the 
kindness  which  they  had  bestowed  upon  them. 

In  another  letter  to  the  Society,  dated  Feb.  22,  he  ex- 
pressed his  most  humble  thanks,  not  only  for  their  usual 
stores  and  presents,  but  for  their  additional  allowance  of 
50/.  He  also  mentioned  the  excellent  Sattianaden  as 
diligent  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  at  Palamcotta,  and 
as  worthy  of  the  gratuity  intended  for  him  by  the  Society. 

It  can  scarcely  be  necessary  to  state  that  Svvartz  never 
married.  His  solemn  and  entire  dedication  of  himself  to 
the  work  of  a  missionary  had  probably  induced  him  at  a 
very  early  period  to  resolve  on  a  life  of  celibacy,  upon  the 
elevated  principle  suggested  by  the  great  apostle  to  the 
Gentiles,*  that  he  might  be  unincumbered  by  domestic 
cares,  and  free  to  devote  his  undivided  thoughts  and  ener- 
gies to  the  service  of  Christ.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore, 
that  the  choice  which  he  had  thus  made  for  himself,  he 
should  deliberately  approve  for  others  engaged  in  similar 
undertakings.  In  point  of  fact,  he  was  decidedly  un- 
friendly to  the  marriage  of  missionaries,  at  least  during 
the  first  years  of  their  ministry.  Adverting,  in  the  pre- 
ceding letter,  to  the  information  which  he  had  received  of 
the  arrival  of  new  missionaries  in  India,  and  of  the  proba- 
bility that  one  of  them  would  be  accompanied  by  his  wife, 
he  thus  briefly  but  pointedly  expressed  his  sentiments  upon 
this  difficult  subject. 

*  1  Cor.  vii.  32,  33. 


358  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  I  confess,  dear  sir,  I  was  grieved  at  it.  I  assure  you 
that  I  honor  the  state  of  matrimony  as  a  divinely-institnted 
state  ;  but  if  a  new  missionary  comes  out,  he  ought  to  be 
unembarrassed.  His  first  work,  besides  his  attention  to 
his  personal  religion,  is  the  learning  of  some  languages, 
which  requires  great  attention,  and  unwearied  application. 
I  will  not  say  that  a  married  man  is  unable  to  learn  lan- 
guages ;  but  this  I  know  from  experience  in  others,  that 
the  work  goes  on  slowly.  Besides,  a  new  missionary  who 
comes  out  in  the  married  state,  wants  many  things  to 
maintain  his  family  decently,  which  may  distract  him.  If 
one  should  enter  into  that  state  after  he  had  become  qual- 
ified for  his  office,  the  difficulty  would  be  less  ;  but  even 
then,  he  ought  to  be  well  assured  of  the  real  piety  of  his 
wife  ;  otherwise,  she  will  be  a  sore  impediment  to  him  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty." 

The  opinion  thus  expressed  by  the  venerable  missionary 
is  certainly  at  variance  with  that  of  many  others  on  this 
important  point ;  and  some  may,  perhaps,  be  disposed  to 
think  that  his  view  of  it  was  unduly  influenced  by  his 
own  feelings  and  example.  No  man  was,  however,  more 
perfectly  free  from  prejudice  or  mere  personal  considera- 
tions in  forming  his  judgment  upon  any  subject  than 
Swartz  ;  and  it  deserves  to  be  remembered,  that  from  his 
peculiarly  social  and  affectionate  disposition,  few  men 
were  better  qualified  to  impart  and  to  enjoy  the  happiness 
of  a  married  life.  This  only  proves  the  sincerity  and 
strength  of  that  conviction  of  duty  which  could  reconcile 
him  to  privations  of  which  he  could  not  but  be  deeply 
susceptible  ;  and  the  remunerating  goodness  of  God,  who, 
by  the  cheering  light  of  his  countenance,  the  visits  of  his 
grace,  and  the  hopes  and  visions  of  his  glory,  could,  even 
in  solitude,  give  to  his  devoted  servant  "  the  desires  of  his 
heart,"  and  provide  for  him  a  satisfying  portion  of  per- 
sonal happiness. 

The  sentiments  of  such  a  man,  therefore,  more  particu- 
larly when  viewed  in  connection  with  those  of  the  apostle, 
already  referred  to,  well  deserve  the  serious  consideration 
of  all  candidates  for  the  office  of  a  missionary.  The  diffi- 
culties and  dangers  to  which  those  are  exposed  who  follow 
the  example  of  Swartz  in  a  life  of  celibacy  are,  doubtless, 
great  and  obvious ;  nor  should  they  ever  be  encountered 
without  the  deliberate  and  well  founded  assurance,  which 


THE  REV.  C.  r.  SWARTZ.  359 

he  possessed,  of  a  faith  which  endures  in  the  hour  of  trial, 
which  effectually  purifies  the  thoughts  and  imaginations 
of  the  heart,  and  which,  overcoming  all  the  allurements  of 
the  world,  has  "  respect  unto  the  recompense  of  the  re- 
ward." Examples  may,  indeed,  be  adduced  of  married 
missionaries,  eminently  devoted  and  successful,  who  have 
owed  much  of  their  comfort  and  even  of  their  usefulness, 
to  the  partners  of  their  labors  and  their  cares.  Such  was 
the  pious  and  admirable  Ziegenbalg,  yet  not  before  he  had 
solidly  laid  the  foundation,  and  had  advanced  considerably 
in  the  promotion  of  his  great  work  at  Tranquebar  ;*  such 
was  Eliot,  the  apostle  of  the  North  American  Indians ; 
such  was  Gericke,  nearest,  perhaps,  to  Swartz  himself,  in 
zeal,  in  disinterestedness,  in  success  ;  and  such,  to  men- 
tion no  others,  have  been,  in  general,  the  Moravian  breth- 
ren, pre-eminent,  it  may  almost  be  said,  in  the  highest 
qualities  and  achievements  of  missionary  character  and 
labor. 

Failures,  both  in  the  one  class  and  in  the  other,  might, 
unhappily,  be  enumerated.  The  truth  seems  to  be,  that 
as  in  many  other  points  of  Christian  practice,  no  certain 
and  invariable  rule  can  be  laid  down,  which  shall  in  all 
cases  determine  tiie  choice  of  the  missionary  concerning  a 
married  or  a  single  life.  Much  must  depend  upon  cir- 
cumstances, of  which  a  truly  upright,  devout,  and  devoted 
mind  can  alone  rightly  judge.  Two  things  may,  however, 
be  safely  affirmed  upon  this  subject  :  the  one,  that,  in 
strict  analogy  with  the  apostle's  argument  before  alluded 
to,  the  preponderance  both  of  reason  and  experience  is, 
in  general,  in  favor  of  the  unmarried  missionary;  the 
other,  that  this  preponderance  would  be  greatly  lessened, 
if,  after  the  primitive  example  of  the  United  Brethren, 
Protestant  missionaries  in  the  present  day  would  deter- 
rninately  consider  themselves  as  ministers  of  a  distinct  and 
peculiar  order,  "  separated  unto  the  gospel  of  God  ;"  and, 
if  when  conscientiously  unitinir  themselves  in  marriage, 
they  would  never  forget  the  apostolic  admonition,  "  that 
they  that  have  wives  be  as  though  they  had  none," — as 
entirely  devoted  to  God,  and  as  simply  dependent  on  his 
providential  care,  as  if,  like  Swartz,  they  were  alone  in 
the  world,  and   had,  like  him,  or  rather,  like  the   blessed 

*  See  Preliminary  Sketch,  p.  22. 


360  MEMOIRS   OF 

apostle,  whose  example  he  so  closely  followed,  but  "  one 
thing"  to  do — to  fulfil  the  ministry  which  they  have  re- 
ceived, "  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  ;  "  to 
live,  not  unto  themselves,  but  unto  Him  who  died  for  them 
and  rose  again. 

The  last  communication  from  their  venerable  mission- 
ary, which  the  Society  received,  was  dated  from  Tanjore, 
on  the  4th  of  September,  1797,  in  which  he  acknowledged 
the  receipt  of  the  secretary's  letter  of  that  year,  together 
with  the  usual  stores,  and  presents,  salaries  and  gratuities, 
for  all  of  which  he  assured  the  Society  of  his  brethren's 
sincere  thankfulness.  "  God,"  he  continued,  "  had  gra- 
ciously preserved  their  lives  and  health,  so  that  he  was 
still  able  to  go  through  his  accustomed  work,  though  with 
less  vigor  than  heretofore.  He  added,  that,  should  his  life 
be  prolonged,  he  intended  to  give  a  full  account  of  the 
mission,  at  the  end  of  the  year ;  and  concluded  with  a 
prayer,  that  God  would  prosper  the  work  of  their  revered 
superiors." 

The  labors,  however,  of  this  apostolic  man  were  now 
drawing  to  a  close.  Within  little  more  than  a  month  after 
the  date  of  the  preceding  letter,  his  last  illness  com- 
menced ;  and  on  the  second  of  Feb.,  1798,  Mr.  Gericke, 
in  a  letter  to  the  Society,  communicated  the  painful  and 
afflicting  intelligence,  that  Mr.  Swartz  had  been,  for  three 
months  past,  dangerously  ill,  and  was  not  expected  to 
preach  again,  his  illness  having  affected  not  only  his 
bodily  strength,  but  also  his  memory. 

A  second  letter  from  Mr.  Gericke,  dated  at  Tanjore,  on 
the  13th  of  the  same  month,  and  written,  as  he  observed, 
in  great  haste,  informed  the  Society  that  it  had  pleased 
God  to  take  from  them  their  dear  father  and  friend, 
between  four  and  five  o'clock  that  evening. 

When  Mr.  Gericke  arrived  at  Tanjore  with  Mr.  Holtz- 
berg  on  the  2d,  his  aged  friend  was  tolerably  alert,  though 
he  had  been  ill  several  months ;  but  from  that  day  he 
grew  gradually  weaker,  which  occasioned  Mr.  Gericke's 
continuance  there.  He  promised  to  write  more  fully 
shortly ;  and  in  the  meantime  commended  himself  to  the 
Society's  prayers,  together  with  his  brethren,  who  could 
not  but  be  deeply  afflicted  at  so  melancholy,  though  not 
unexpected,  an  event. 

In  his  next  letter,  Mr.  Gericke  communicated  the  fol- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  361 

lowing  interesting  particulars  of  the  last  sufferings,  and 
of  the  patience,  resignation,  and  hope,  of  the  revered 
and  venerable  missionary. 

"That  great  and  good  man,"  he  writes,  "  had  often 
spoken  to  me  of  his  death.  When  he  mentioned  any 
providential  circumstances  that  had  attended  him  in  life, 
he  had  been  accustomed  to  add,  '  And  so  God  will  show 
me  mercy  at  the  end  ; '  and  we  have  great  reason  to 
praise  him  for  the  mercies  our  father  and  brother  expe- 
rienced during  the  last  days  of  his  abode  upon  earth. 
When  I  arrived  at  Tanjore,  he  was  in  perfect  health  of 
body,  though  his  recollection  failed  him.  During  the  few 
days  in  which  I  went  to  see  our  brother  Pohle,  at  Trichi- 
nopoly,  he  had  been  afflicted  with  a  mortification  in  his 
left  foot,  which  for  years  past  had  occasionally  been  painful. 
On  my  return,  I  was  fearful  that  this  would  prove  fatal. 
We  were  thankful,  however,  to  observe,  that  the  power  of 
recollection  had  almost  fully  returned.  The  mortification 
also  was  checked,  and  shortly  after  removed  ;  and  the  last 
days  of  his  life  became  some  of  his  best.  He  frequently 
conversed  with  Christians  and  heathens,  who  visited  him, 
in  the  same  easy  and  agreeable  manner  he  had  been 
accustomed  to  when  in  health.  He  affectionately  e.xhorted 
every  European  that  visited  him,  to  the  earnest  care  of 
his  soul.  He  prayed,  and  he  praised  God,  He  desired 
us  to  pray  with  him;  and  though  he  must  have  felt  much 
pain,  (which  was  evident  from  his  groans,  when  left  alone, 
in  the  hope  of  getting  rest,)  yet  when  we  heard  him 
speak  with  others,  or  pray,  it  was  with  as  much  ease  as  if 
he  had  no  pain. 

"  Respecting  the  mission,  he  made  the  following  em- 
phatic observation.  *  I  hope  the  work  will  continue  ;  but 
you  will  suffer  much  in  carrying  it  on :  he  who  will 
suffer  nothing,  is  not  fit  for  it.'  Of  his  own  congregation, 
by  which  he  chiefly  intended  those  who  lived  on  either 
side  of  his  garden,  and  attended  his  hours  of  daily  devo- 
tion, he  said,  what  it  would  be  well  if  those  who  expect 
too  much,  or,  at  least,  too  hastily,  from  heathen  converts, 
would  bear  in  mind, — '  There  is  a  good  beginning  in  all. 
If  others  say,  there  is  nothing  perfect ;  I  say,  look  into 
your  own  hearts.'  " 

Every  circumstance  relating  to  the  last  days  of  this 
31 


362  MEMOIRS   OF 

eminent  Christian  is  so  interesting  and  instructive,  that 
the  following  more  expanded  narrative  of  this  melancholy, 
yet  consoling  and  animating  scene,  by  Mr.  Gericke, 
though  occasionally  repeating  the  preceding  brief  account, 
cannot  but  be  acceptable. 

'•  I  returned  to  Tanjore,"  he  writes  to  his  friend 
in  Germany,  "  from  a  short  journey  I  had  made  to 
Trichinopoly,  on  the  7th  of  February,  and  found  that 
Mr.  Swartz's  foot  had  become  very  bad,  and  full  of  black 
spots,  which  continued  to  increase.  The  physician  had 
begun  to  employ  the  bark  as  a  poultice.  As  we  expected 
the  end  of  our  beloved  brother  every  hour,  the  other 
brethren  besought  me  to  remain  with  them,  and  assist 
them  to  bear  the  burden.  To  me  it  was  a  great  blessing, 
to  witness  in  our  dying  friend  an  animating  example  of 
faith,  of  patience,  and  of  hope.  When  spiritual  and 
heavenly  things  were  spoken  of,  when  he  prayed,  exhorted, 
comforted,  or  spoke  of  the  repose  and  peace  of  mind 
which  he  enjoyed  by  the  mercy  of  God  through  Christ, 
no  failure  in  his  powers  of  recollection  could  be  perceived. 
He  often  introduced  a  text  of  holy  scripture,  or  a  verse  of 
a  hymn,  which  were  very  appropriate  ;  and  was  continually 
engaged  in  conversation  with  those  around  him.  Until 
the  Friday  evening  previous,  he  often  said,  that  he  did 
not  consider  his  end  so  near ;  and  that  it  would  not  take 
place  until  after  much  suffering.  But  after  that,  he  some- 
times said,  '  1  shall  now  soon  depart  to  my  heavenly 
Father.'  Being  asked,  whether  he  had  the  hope  that, 
after  his  death,  the  kingdom  of  God  would  break 
forth  in  this  country,  he  replied,  '  Yes  ;  but  it  will  be 
through  affliction  and  trouble.'  At  another  time,  when  he 
was  asked  if  he  had  any  thing  to  say  concerning  his 
congregation,  he  answered,  *  Assist  them  to  come  to 
heaven.'  When  one  remarked  with  joy,  his  patience  and 
contentment,  he  replied,  '  Human  affliction  is  common, 
and  I  really  suffer  very  little  ; '  often  repeating,  in  Ger- 
man, '  The  faithful  God  helps  us  out  of  trouble,  and 
chastens  us  in  measure.  How  would  it  be  with  us,  if  he 
should  deal  with  us  according  to  our  sins?  But  there 
will  be  no  aflliction  in  heaven  ;  and  for  that  we  have  to 
thank  the  Lord  Jesus.' 

"  To  his  native  assistants,  who  faithfully  attended  him, 
he  was  very  grateful,   and  often  said,   'For  these  poor 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  363 

people's  sake,  who  certainly  do  all  they  can,  we  ought  not 
to  sorrow  much,  that  the  services  they  render  may  not  be 
made  painful.' 

"On  the  morning  of  the  10th,  his  tongue  was  quite 
dry,  rough,  and  black,  attended  with  strong  spasms  of  the 
stomach,  and  an  impeded  respiration.  At  his  desire  we 
offered  up  a  prayer,  and  deemed  that  it  would  be  the  last. 
Towards  evening,  however,  there  was  a  favorable  change, 
and  the  fever  was  much  abated.  Early  on  the  following 
day,  Samuel,  the  physician,  (probably  a  native  prac- 
titioner,) came  ;  who,  however,  did  not  attend  the  patient 
in  a  medical  capacity,  but  only  assisted  in  raising  him, 
and  applying  the  poultices,  and  who  had,  the  day  before, 
announced  to  me  his  approaching  death.  He  said,  'The 
Lord  has  wrought  wonderfully  ;  the  symptoms  which  yes- 
terday indicated  his  approaching  dissolution,  are  now 
vanished.'  The  English  physician,  also,  when  he  ex- 
amined the  foot,  said,  he  was  astonished  at  the  unexpected 
improvement,  and  added,  that  he  now  no  longer  feared 
that  his  patient  would  die  of  the  mortification,  though  his 
recovery  was  not  to  be  expected. 

"On  the  12th,  in  the  afternoon,  I  wished  to  set  out; 
the  patient  also  gave  me  leave,  and  said,  'You  will  then 
depart!  Greet  all  the  brethren,  and  tell  them  always  to 
look  at  the  main  object.  I  shall  now  soon  depart  to  the 
Lord  Jesus.  That  he  has  received  me,  forgiven  my  sins, 
and  has  not  entered  into  judgment  with  me,  but  has  dealt 
with  me  according  to  his  tender  mercy,  is  well  for  me, 
and  I  praise  him.  He  might  reject  us  for  our  very  works' 
sake,  because  sin  cleaves  to  them  all.'  He  praised  God 
for  permitting  him  to  depart  out  of  the  world  in  the 
society  of  faithful  brethren,  and  that  he  had  so  ordered 
it,  that  I  had  been  brought  to  visit  him  in  his  great  weak- 
ness, and  commend  him  to  Jesus,  as  the  only  Saviour,  as 
the  resurrection,  and  the  life.  'Now,'  he  added,  'pray 
yet  once  again.'  I  kneeled  down,  in  company  with 
Mr.  Kohlhoff,  who  had  entered  in  the  meanwhile,  and 
accommodated  my  prayer  to  the  subject  of  the  hymn. 

"After  applying  fresh  poultices  to  the  diseased  foot, 
he  was  removed  into  another  room.  It  was  then  that 
we  first  perceived  how  great  his  debility  was  ;  and  it 
appeared  that  he  was  much  nearer  death  than  he  had 
been  on  the  preceding  Sunday.  Again,  therefore,  I  was 
detained. 


364  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  In  the  afternoon,  he  conversed  much  with  Mr. 
Joenicke.  In  the  evening,  I  came  to  him,  with  the 
physician,  whom  he  distinctly  recognized,  and  said  to 
him,  '  Let  us  see  to  it  that  none  be  wanting ! '  He 
expressed  his  thankfulness  for  the  care  of  the  physician, 
and  for  the  presence  of  his  brethren,  and  the  native 
assistants.  These  last  did  all  they  could  with  the  greatest 
readiness  ;  love  to  their  teacher  and  father,  made  all  easy 
to  them  ;  and  every  instructive  word  that  he  addressed 
to  them,  they  received  with  the  greatest  eagerness,  and 
voluntarily  remained  with  him.  The  physician  was  much 
affected,  and  said  to  me  when  going  away,  that  he  hoped 
I  would  not  leave  the  patient  and  depart,  now  that  he 
was  so  weak. 

"  This  evening  he  suffered  more  than  before  ;  for  the 
raising  him  up  and  moving  him,  and  even  the  sitting  and 
lying  in  bed,  were  extremely  painful  to  him.  But  his 
patience  and  contentment  did  not  abate  ;  not  a  complaint 
was  heard  ;  sighs  only  testified  what  he  endured.  I  said, 
among  other  things,  '  God  grant  that  we  may,  in  our  last 
conflict,  be  able  to  await  our  end  in  such  peace  and  in 
such  confidence  as,  to  our  consolation  and  joy,  are  im- 
parted to  you  ! '  He  added,  '  May  it  abundantly  be  so  ! ' 
Our  hearts  were  moved  by  the  affection  and  emphasis 
with  which  he  pronounced  this  wish. 

"In  the  night  of  the  12th,  he  had,  during  the  intervals 
of  pain,  a  little  sleep  ;  and  in  the  forenoon  of  the  follow- 
ing day,  he  became  as  if  seized  with  lethargy,  and  his 
pulse  was  very  feeble.  When  he  awoke,  he  spoke,  indeed, 
but  only  a  few  words  could  be  understood,  though  he 
appeared  to  comprehend  all  that  was  said  to  him.  We 
expected  that  thus  he  would  slumber  away  ;  but  at  noon, 
on  the  13th,  he  was  again  lively.  We  sung  the  hymn, 
'  Christ  is  my  life,'  when  he  began  to  sing  with  us,  spoke 
very  humbly  of  himself,  and  extolled  his  Redeemer,  and 
wished  to  be  dissolved  and  to  be  with  Christ.  '  Had  it 
pleased  him,'  he  said,  'to  spare  me  longer,  I  should  have 
been  glad  :  I  should  then  have  been  able  to  speak  yet  a 
word  to  the  sick  and  poor  ;  but  his  will  be  done  !  May 
He  but  in  mercy  receive  me  !  Into  thy  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit ;  thou  hast  redeemed  me,  O  God  of  truth  !  * 
After  this,  the  native  assistants  sung  the  last  verse  of  the 
hymn,  '  O  head  so  full  of  bruises,' — he  joining  with  them. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  365 

He  then  rested  a  little  ;  after  which,  he  desired  to  be 
raised  up,  and  unexpectedly  he  opened  his  lips,  from 
which  had  issued  so  much  instruction  and  consolation, 
and  thus  expired  in  the  arms  of  the  faithful  and  truly 
grateful  native  fellow-laborer  of  this  place,  at  four  o'clock. 

"  Very  moving  were  the  weeping  and  the  sobs  of  the 
people,  in  both  the  Christian  villages  on  each  side  of  the 
garden,  which  were  heard  during  the  whole  night.  The 
distress,  that  now  their  instructor,  their  comforter,  their 
guardian,  their  benefactor,  their  counsellor,  their  inter- 
cessor, was  no  more,  was  general.  Not  only  we,  the 
congregations,  the  schools,  and  the  missions,  but  the 
whole  land,  has  lost  a  parent.  Every  one  who  knew  him, 
bewails  him. 

"On  the  day  following,  between  four  and  five  in  the 
afternoon,  we  committed  his  body  to  the  grave  we  had 
made  for  him  in  the  garden.  Serfojee,  the  Tanjore 
prince,  whose  guardian  he  had  been,  came  to  see  him 
before  the  coffin  was  closed,  bedewed  him  with  his  tears, 
and  accompanied  him  to  the  grave.  The  native  assistants 
asked  permission  to  bear  the  corpse  ;  but  as  Europeans 
had  been  appointed  the  day  before,  it  was  declined.  We 
purposed  singing  on  the  way  ;  but  the  wailing  of  the 
people  did  not  allow  it.  There  was  singing  in  the  church 
before  and  after  the  interment ;  and  when  the  Europeans 
were  departed,  the  natives  of  themselves  began  a  hymn, 
and  awaited  an  address  from  me ;  but  I  could  hardly  utter 
even  a  few  words,  and  was  obliged  to  make  a  vigorous 
effort  to  read  the  service.  The  servant  of  the  departed 
stood  near  me,  and  said,  almost  as  if  fainting,  '  Now  is 
our  desire  gone!'  The  exclamation  went  to  my  heart: 
but  this  is  not  the  language  of  one,  but  of  many,  old  and 
young,  great  and  small,  near  and  afar,  Christians  and 
heathen. 

"When  I  had  disrobed,  I  repaired  to  the  prince,  who 
remained  still  in  the  neighborhood,  and  sought  to  comfort 
him.  The  chief  servant  of  the  widow  of  the  former  king 
also  besought  me  to  visit  and  comfort  her;  but  she  resided 
too  far  off.  On  the  following  morning,  we  all  waited  on 
the  physician,  and  thanked  him  for  the  love  which  he 
had  evinced  to  the  deceased,  in  his  last  hours.  I  also 
looked  at  the  papers  he  had  left  behind,  that  I  might  take 
possession  of  the  will,  and  found  that  the  mission  at  Tan- 
31  * 


366  MEMOIRS  OF 

jore,  and  all  the  poor,  and  the  institutions  attached  to  it, 
are  his  heirs.  In  the  afternoon,  I  conversed  for  an  hour 
with  the  assistants,  and  prayed  with  them.  In  the  even- 
ing, the  Tamul  congregation  assembled  in  the  church, 
and  wished  to  hear  a  sermon.  I  chose  the  words  of  the 
dying  Jacob, — '  Behold,  I  die  ;  but  God  will  be  with  you.' 
I  introduced  many  things  which  the  deceased  had  said 
concerning  the  church,  and  his  expectation  that  tiie  king- 
dom of  Christ  would  advance  in  this  country.  I  en- 
deavored to  awaken  them  to  the  attainment  of  such  a 
spirit  as  the  departed  had  possessed,  whose  grave  was 
then  visible  before  them.  On  the  following  day  1  again 
prayed  with  the  brethren,  and  departed." 

Such  is  the  simple,  but  deeply  interesting  narrative 
given  by  the  pious  and  excellent  Gericke,  of  the  last 
illness  and  death  of  his  departed  friend  :  it  is  strikingly 
characteristic  of  the  venerable  missionary,  and  beautifully 
descriptive  of  the  piety  and  peace,  the  faith  and  patience, 
the  fervent  devotion,  the  holy  love,  and  heavenly  hope 
of  the  dying  Christian.  It  would  be  difficult  to  add  to 
the  interest  of  this  mournful  yet  animating  and  consoling 
scene.  Yet,  as  the  brethren  and  friends  of  the  departing 
missionary  visited  him  at  intervals,  while  the  general  and 
more  important  features  of  it  were  witnessed  by  them  all, 
each  individual  observed  and  heard  something  new  and 
particular.  His  faithful  colleague,  and  almost  adopted 
son,  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  who  was  near  him  during  the  whole 
of  his  illness,  would  more  especially  be  anxious  to  treasure 
in  his  memory  all  the  circumstances  which  attended  the 
dying  bed  of  his  revered  and  beloved  friend  and  father. 
Mr.  Kohlhoff's  narrative  comprises  a  period  of  three 
months  previously  to  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Gericke,  and 
many  very  instructive  and  important  particulars  will  be 
observed  which  do  not  occur  in  his  shorter  memorial. 
The  interview  of  the  dying  missionary  with  the  Hindoo 
prince,  of  whom  he  had  been  the  faithful  guardian  and 
friend,  will  be  read  with  peculiar  interest. 

"From  the  beginning  of  January,"  says  Mr.  Kohlhoff, 
"to  the  middle  of  October,  1797,  he  pursued  his  labors 
in  his  ministerial  office,  and  in  his  studies,  with  great 
fervor,  under  all  the  disadvantages  of  his  advanced  age. 
He  preached  every  Sunday  in  the  English  and  Tamulian 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  307 

languages  by  turns,  and  on  Wednesdays  he  preached  a 
lecture  in  the  Portuguese  language,  for  the  space  of 
several  weeks,  and  afterwards  in  German  to  the  privates, 
who  had  been  made  prisoners  in  the  island  of  Ceylon, 
and,  having  entered  our  service,  were  incorporated  in  his 
majesty's  5 1st  regiment,  stationed  at  this  place. 

"He  made  likewise  a  journey  to  Trichinopoly,  and 
several  times  visited  Vellum,  (a  town  six  miles  from 
Tanjore,)  in  order  to  preach  the  word  of  God  to  some 
companies  of  the  51st  regiment,  stationed  at  that  place, 
and  to  invite  the  heathens  to  accept  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel. 

"  During  the  course  of  the  week  he  explained  the  Ne\r 
Testament  in  his  usual  order  at  morning  and  evening 
prayers,  which  were  begun  and  concluded  by  singing  some 
verses  of  a  hymn;  and  he  dedicated  an  hour  everyday  for 
instructing  the  Malabar  school  children  in  the  doctrines 
of  Christianity.  He  was  very  solicitous  for  their  improve- 
ment in  knowledge  and  piety,  and  particularly  for  those 
whom  he  had  chosen  and  was  training  up  for  the  service 
of  the  church  ;  for  whose  benefit  he  wrote,  during  the 
latter  part  of  his  life,  an  explanation  of  the  principal 
doctrines  of  Christianity,  an  abridgment  of  Bishop  New- 
ton's Exposition  of  the  Revelation,  and  some  other  books. 

"  Though  his  strength  and  vigor  were  greatly  impaired, 
yet  his  love  to  his  flock  constrained  him  to  deny  himself  a 
great  deal  of  that  case  and  repose  which  his  great  age 
required,  and  to  exert  all  his  remaining  strength  for  their 
improvement  in  true  religion.  He  took  a  particular  delight 
in  visiting  the  members  of  his  congregation,  with  whom 
he  conversed  freely  upon  the  subjects  relating  to  their 
eternal  interest.  He  told  them  plainly  whatever  was 
blameable  in  their  conduct,  and  animated  them,  by  every 
powerful  argument,  to  walk  worthy  of  their  Christian 
profession.  It  was  a  most  pleasing  sight  to  see  the  little 
children  flock  to  him  with  such  joy  as  children  feel  on 
meeting  their  beloved  parent  after  some  absence,  and  to 
observe  his  engaging  and  delightful  method  in  leading 
them  to  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  of  their  duty. 

"  He  heard  almost  every  day  the  accounts  delivered 
by  the  catechists  of  their  conversations  with  Christians, 
papists,  and  heathen,  and  the  effects  produced  by  them, 
and  embraced  every  opportunity  of  giving  them  directions 
for  a  wise  and  faithful  discharge  of  their  office. 


368  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  His  strength  was  visibly  on  the  decline  during  the 
last  year  of  his  life,  and  he  frequently  spoke  of  his  de- 
parture, to  \vi)ich  he  looked  forward  with  joy  and  delight. 
The  commencement  of  his  illness,  which  happened  on 
the  17lh  of  October,  1797,  consisted  only  of  a  cold  and 
hoarseness.  Dr.  Kennedy,  who  was  his  particular  friend, 
prescribed  for  him,  but  without  effect,  and  he  suffered 
severely  from  sickness  till  the  27th  of  November  following. 

"  It  was  very  afflicting  to  witness  the  state  of  our 
venerable  father,  and  every  remedy  rendered  fruitless 
which  was  tried  by  that  humane  and  excellent  man,  the 
late  Dr.  Stuart,  who  acted  for  Dr.  Kennedy  during  his 
absence.  My  distress  would  have  proved  insupportable, 
if  a  merciful  God  had  not  strengthened  and  comforted  me 
through  the  unexpected  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joenicke 
on  the  4th  of  November. 

"  Under  all  his  severe  sufferings,  he  never  uttered  a 
single  expression  of  impatience — his  mind  was  alwa)'s 
calm  and  serene.  Once,  when  he  was  in  great  pain,  he 
said,  '  If  it  be  the  will  of  the  Lord  to  take  me  to  heaven, 
his  will  be  done — may  his  name  be  praised  !' 

"  Although  his  strength  was  quite  exhausted,  and  his 
body  extremely  emaciated,  yet,  under  all  this  calamity,  he 
desired  that  the  school  children,  and  others  who  usually 
attended  the  evening  prayers,  should  assemble  in  his 
parlor,  where,  after  singing,  he  expounded  a  portion  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures  in  a  very  affecting  manner,  and  con- 
cluded it  with  his  fervent  and  importunate  prayers.  It 
was  always  his  custom  to  hear  the  English  school  chil- 
dren read  to  him  a  few  chapters  out  of  the  Bible  after 
evening  prayer,  and  to  hear  them  sing  some  of  Dr.  Watts's 
hymns.  During  his  illness,  he  seemed  particularly  pleased 
with  that  excellent  hymn,  which  begins  with  the  following 
words  : — 

'  Far  from  my  thoughts,  vain  world,  be  gone, 
Let  my  religious  hours  alone  ; 
Fain  would  mine  eyes  my  Saviour  see, 
I  wait  a  visit.  Lord,  from  thee ! ' 

He  called   it  his  beloved  song,  and  desired  the  children 
to  sing  it  frequently  to  him. 

"  He  earnestly  exhorted  and  entreated  the  heathen, 
who  visited  him  in   his  illness,  to  forsake  their  idolatry, 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  369 

and  to  consider  betimes  the  things  which  belonged  to 
their  peace.  When  one  of  them  began  relating  that 
wonderful  things  occurred  in  the  town,  our  venerable 
father  answered,  '  The  most  wonderful  thing  is,  that  after 
hearing  so  often  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and  being 
convinced  of  the  truth  of  it,  you  are,  notwithstanding, 
backward  to  embrace  and  obey  it.'  In  conversing  with 
another  heathen  of  consequence,  he  expressed  his  great 
regret  at  leaving  him  in  his  idolatry,  when  he  was  enter- 
ing into  eternity  ;  and  added  the  following  words.  '  I 
have  often  exhorted  and  warned  you,  but  you  have  hither- 
to disregarded  it.  You  esteem  and  honor  the  creature 
more  than  the  Creator.' 

"  On  the  23d  of  November,  he  was  visited  by  Serfojee, 
the  present  rajah,  then  presumptive  heir  of  the  kingdom 
of  Tanjore,  and  to  whom  Mr.  Swartz  was  appointed  guar- 
dian by  the  late  Tulja  Maha  Rajah.  On  being  informed 
that  Serfojee  rajah  wished  to  see  him,  he  let  him  know 
that  he  should  come  immediately,  as  he  doubted  whether 
he  should  survive  till  the  next  day.  On  his  arrival,  he 
received  him  very  affectionately,  and  then  delivered  to  him 
his  dying  charge,  by  which,  though  pronounced  in  broken 
language,  the  rajah  seemed  to  be  deeply  affected.  The 
tenor  of  his  speech  was  as  follows  : — 

"  '  After  God  has  called  me  hence,  I  request  you  will 
be  careful  not  to  indulge  a  fondness  for  pomp  and  gran- 
deur. You  are  convinced  that  my  endeavors  to  serve  you 
have  been  disinterested  ;  what  I  now  request  of  you  is, 
that  you  would  be  kind  to  the  Christians.  If  they  behave 
ill,  let  them  be  punished  ;  but  if  they  do  well,  show  your- 
Bslf  to  them  as  their  father  and  protector. 

"  '  As  the  administration  of  justice  is  indispensably 
necessary  to  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  every  state, 
I  request  you  will  establish  regular  courts,  and  be  careful 
that  impartial  justice  be  administered.  I  heartily  wish  you 
would  renounce  your  idolatry,  and  serve  and  honor  the 
only  true  God.  May  He  be  merciful,  and  enable  you  to 
do  it ! ' 

"  Our  venerable  father  then  inquired  whether  he  some- 
times perused  the  Bible;  and  concluded  with  very  affect- 
ing exhortations  to  be  mindful  of  the  concerns  of  his 
immortal  soul. 

"The  resident,  Mr.  Macleod,  who  had  been  on  a  visit 


370  MEMOIRS  OF 

to  Trichinopoly  for  some  weeks,  hearing  on  his  arrival  the 
ill  state  of  Mr.  Swartz's  health,  had  the  kindness  to  send 
for  Dr.  Stuart  from  Trichinopoly,  The  doctor  arrived 
here  on  the  first  of  December,  and  after  consulting  with 
his  other  medical  attendant,  he  recommended  the  tincture 
of  steel  to  be  taken  with  an  infusion  of  bark,  which,  by 
the  blessing  of  God,  put  a  stop  to  the  sickness,  with  which 
he  had  been  afflicted  since  the  17th  of  October. 

"  On  the  3d  of  December,  the  first  Sunday  in  Advent, 
very  early  in  the  morning,  he  sent  for  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Joenicke  and  myself,  and  desired  the  Lord's  Supper  to  be 
administered  to  him,  which  was  accordingly  done  by  Mr. 
Joenicke.  Before  he  received  it,  he  put  up  a  long  and 
affecting  prayer.  To  hear  this  eminent  servant  of 
Christ,  who  had  faithfully  served  his  Redeemer  very  near 
half  a  century,  disclainung  all  merit  of  his  own,  humbling 
himself  before  the  footstool  of  the  divine  Majesty  as  the 
chief  of  sinners,  and  grounding  all  his  hopes  of  mercy  and 
salvation  on  the  unmerited  grace  of  God,  and  the  meri- 
torious sacrifice  of  his  beloved  Saviour,  was  a  great  lesson 
of  humility  to  us. 

"  Our  joy  was  great  on  his  temporary  recovery  ;  but, 
alas !  it  was  soon  changed  into  sorrow,  when  we  observed 
that  the  severe  attacks  of  his  illness  had,  in  a  great  degree, 
affected  the  powers  of  his  mind.  It  was,  however,  sur- 
prising to  us  that,  though  his  thoughts  seemed  to  be  inco- 
herent when  he  spoke  of  worldly  subjects,  they  were 
quite  connected  when  he  prayed  or  discoursed  about 
divine  things. 

"  After  his  recovery  he  frequently  wished,  according  to 
his  old  custom,  that  the  school  children,  and  Christians, 
should  assemble  in  his  parlor  for  evening  prayer,  with 
which  we  complied,  in  order  to  please  him,  though  we 
were  concerned  to  observe  that  these  exertions  were  too 
much  for  his  feeble  frame. 

"The  happy  talent  which  he  possessed  of  making 
almost  every  conversation  instructive  and  edifying,  did 
not  forsake  him,  even  under  his  weak  and  depressed  state. 
One  morning  when  his  friend  Dr.  Kennedy  visited  him 
(after  his  return)  the  conversation  turning  upon  Dr. 
Young's  Night  Thoughts,  which  was  one  of  Mr.  Swartz's 
favorite  books,  he  observed  to  the  Doctor,  that  those 
weighty  truths  contained  in  it  were  not  intended  to  imply 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  37I 

that  we  should  abandon  society,  renounce  our  business, 
and  retire  into  a  corner,  but  to  convince  us  of  the  empti- 
ness of  the  honors,  the  riches,  and  pleasures  of  this  world, 
and  to  engage  us  to  fix  our  hearts  where  true  treasures  are 
to  be  found.  He  then  spoke  with  peculiar  warmth  on  the 
folly  of  minding  the  things  of  this  world  as  our  chief  good, 
and  the  wisdom  and  happiness  of  thinking  on  our  eternal 
concerns. 

"  It  was  highly  pleasing  to  hear  the  part  which  he  took 
in  his  conversations  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pohle,  who  visited 
him  a  little  after  his  recovery,  and  which  generally  turned 
on  the  many  benefits  and  consolations  purchased  to  be- 
lievers through  Christ.  He  was  transported  with  joy  when 
he  spoke  on  those  subjects ;  and  I  hope  I  may  with  truth 
call  it  a  foretaste  of  that  joy  which  he  is  now  experiencing 
in  the  presence  of  his  Redeemer,  and  in  the  society  of  the 
blessed. 

"  On  the  2d  of  February,  last  year,  our  venerable  father 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke,  Mr. 
Holtzberg,  and  his  family.  Little  did  we  think  that  the 
performance  of  the  last  offices  for  him  would  prove  a  part 
of  the  duty  of  our  worthy  senior,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke : 
and  I  bless  and  praise  God  for  leading  his  faithful  servant 
to  us  at  that  very  time,  when  we  were  most  in  need  of 
his  assistance  and  comfort. 

"  On  the  second  or  third  day  after  Mr.  Gericke's  arrival, 
Mr.  Swartz  complained  of  a  little  pain  in  his  right  foot, 
occasioned  by  an  inflammation,  to  remove  which  repeated 
fomentations  were  applied  ;  but  a  few  days  after  we  ob- 
served, to  our  inexpressible  grief,  the  approach  of  a  morti- 
fication. Dr.  Kennedy  tried  every  remedy  to  remove  it, 
and  would,  perhaps,  have  effected  the  cure,  if  his  frame 
had  been  able  to  support  what  he  suffered.  He  was  an 
example  of  patience  under  all  these  calamities.  He  did 
not  utter,  during  the  whole  of  his  illness,  one  single  im- 
patient word. 

"  The  last  week  of  his  life  he  was  obliged  to  lie  on  his 
cot  the  greatest  part  of  the  day,  and  as  he  was  of  a  robust 
constitution,  it  required  great  labor  and  exertion  to  remove 
him  to  a  chair,  when  he  would  sit  up.  These  exertions 
contributed  to  weaken  him  more  and  more. 

_  "  During  his  last  illness,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gericke  visited 
him  frequently,  and  spent  much  of  his  time  with  him  in 


372  MEMOIRS  OF 

conversing  on  the  precious  promises  of  God  through  Christ, 
in  singing  awakening  hymns,  and  in  offering  his  fervent 
prayers  to  God  to  comfort  and  strengthen  his  aged  servant 
under  his  severe  sufferings,  to  continue  and  increase  his 
divine  blessing  upon  his  labors  for  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel,  and  to  bless  all  the  pious  endeavors  of  the  Society, 
and  all  those  institutions  established  in  this  country  for 
the  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

"  He  rehearsed  with  peculiar  emphasis  (whilst  we  were 
singing)  particular  parts  of  the  hymns  expressing  the  be- 
liever's assurance  of  faith,  and  of  the  great  love  of  God  in 
Christ.  His  fervor  was  visible  to  every  one  present  whilst 
Mr.  Gericke  was  praying  ;  and  by  his  loud  amen  showed 
his  ardent  desire  for  the  accomplishment  of  our  united  pe- 
titions. 

"  A  few  days  before  he  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord, 
Mr.  Gericke  asked  him  whether  he  had  any  thing  to  say 
to  the  brethren  ?  His  answer  was,  '  Tell  them  that  it  is 
my  request  that  they  should  make  the  faithful  discharge 
of  their  office  their  chief  care  and  concern.' 

"  A  day  or  two  before  his  departure,  when  he  was  visited 
by  the  doctor,  he  said,  '  Doctor,  in  heaven  there  will  be 
no  pain.'  '  Very  true,'  replied  the  doctor  ;  '  but  we  must 
keep  you  here  as  long  as  we  can.'  He  paused  a  kw  mo- 
ments, and  then  addressed  him  in  these  words,  '  O,  dear 
doctor,  let  us  take  care  that  we  may  not  be  missing  there!* 
These  words  were  delivered  with  such  an  affectionate 
tone  of  voice,  that  they  made  a  deep  impression  on  the 
doctor,  and  on  every  one  present. 

"  On  Wednesday  the  J  3th  of  February,  which  closed  the 
melancholy  scene,  we  observed  with  deep  concern,  the 
approach  of  his  dissolution.  The  Rev,  Messrs.  Gericke, 
Joenicke,  Hohzberg,  and  myself,  were  much  with  him  in 
the  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  sung  several  excel- 
lent hymns,  and  offered  up  our  prayers  and  praises  to  God, 
in  which  he  joined  us  with  fervor  and  delight.  After  we 
had  retired,  he  prayed  silently,  and  at  one  time  he  uttered 
the  following  words:  'O  Lord,  hitherto  thou  hast  pre- 
served me  ;  hitherto  thou  hast  brought  me  ;  and  hast  be- 
stowed innumerable  benefits  upon  me.  Do  what  is  pleas- 
ing in  thy  sight  I  commend  my  spirit  into  thy  hands  ; 
cleanse  and  adorn  it  with  the  righteousness  of  my  Re- 
deemer, and  receive  me  into  the  arms  of  thy  love  and 
mercy.'  " 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  373 

It  was  after  this  pious  and  eminently  Christian  com- 
mendation of  his  soul  into  the  hands  of  his  faithful  Creator 
and  merciful  Redeemer,  that  the  interesting  and  affect- 
ing incident  occurred,  which  is  briefly  alluded  to  in  Mr. 
Gericke's  narrative  of  his  dying  friend.  That  excellent 
man  was  watching  by  his  side  ;  and  observing  him  appar- 
ently lifeless,  with  his  eyes  closed,  as  if  his  spirit  had 
already  winged  its  immortal  flight,  he  began  to  sing  their 
favorite  hymn,  '  Only  to  Thee,  Lord  Jesus  Christ  !'  and 
finished  the  first  verse  :  when  on  commencing  the  second, 
to  his  astonishment  and  delight,  the  venerable  missionary 
revived,  accompanied  him  with  a  clear  and  melodious  voice, 
and  completed  the  long  cherished  hymn  before  he  breathed 
his  last. 

"  About  two  hours  after  we  had  retired,"  continues  Mr. 
Kohlhoff",  "  he  sent  for  me,  and  looking  upon  me  with  a 
benignant  countenance,  he  solemnly  imparted  his  last 
paternal  blessing.  On  offering  him  something  to  drink, 
he  wished  to  be  placed  on  a  chair  ;  but  as  soon  as  he  was 
raised  upon  the  cot,  he  bowed  his  head,  and  without  a 
groan  or  struggle,  he  shut  his  eyes,  and  died,  between  four 
and  five  in  the  afternoon,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his 
age. 

"  Though  our  minds  were  deeply  afflicted  at  the  loss  of 
our  beloved  father,  yet  the  consideration  of  his  most  edify- 
ing conduct  during  his  illness,  his  incredible  patience 
under  his  severe  pains,  his  triumphant  death,  and  the  evi- 
dent traces  of  sweetness  and  composure  which  were  left 
on  his  countenance,  prevented  the  burst  of  our  sorrows  for 
the  present,  and  animated  us  to  praise  God  for  his  great 
mercies  bestowed  on  us  through  his  faithful  servant,  and 
to  entreat  him  to  enable  us  to  follow  his  blessed  example, 
that  our  last  end  might  be  like  his. 

"  His  remains  were  committed  to  the  earth  on  the  14th 
of  February,  about  five  in  the  afternoon,  in  the  chapel  out 
of  the  Fort,  erected  by  him  near  his  habitation,  in  the 
garden  given  to  him  by  the  late  Tulja  maha  rajah. 

"  His  funeral  was  a  most  awful  and  very  affecting  sight. 
It  was  delayed  a  little  beyond  the  appointed  time,  as  Serfo- 
jee  rajah  wished  once  more  to  look  at  him.  The  affliction 
which  he  suffered  at  the  loss  of  the  best  of  his  friends,  was 
very  affecting.  He  shed  a  flood  of  tears  over  his  body, 
and  covered  it  with  a  gold  cloth.  We  intended  to  sing  a 
33 


374  MEMOIRS  OF 

funeral  hymn,  whilst  the  body  was  conveyed  to  the  chapel  ; 
but  we  were  prevented  from  it  by  the  bitter  cries  and 
lamentations  of  the  multitudes  of  poor  who  had  crowded 
into  the  garden,  and  which  pierced  through  our  souls. 
We  were  of  course  obliged  to  defer  it  till  our  arrival 
at  the  chapel. 

"  The  burial  service  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Gericke,  in  the  presence  of  the  rajah,  the  resident,  and 
most  of  the  gentlemen  who  resided  in  the  place,  and  a 
great  number  of  native  Christians,  full  of  regret  for  the 
loss  of  so  excellent  a  minister — the  best  of  men.  O  may 
a  merciful  God  grant,  that  all  those  who  are  appointed  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen  world  may  follow  the 
example  of  this  venerable  servant  of  Christ!  And  may  he 
send  many  such  faithful  laborers,  to  fulfil  the  pious  inten- 
tions and  endeavors  of  the  honorable  Society  for  the  en- 
largement of  the  kingdom  of  Christ !  May  he  mercifully 
grant  it,  for  the  sake  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ !     Amen." 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  375 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Reflections  on  the  Death  of  Swartz — Testimonies  of  respect  and 
veneration  for  his  memory  ;  from  his  brethren  at  Tanjore  and 
Tranquebar  ;  from  Serfojee  rajah — Interesting  anecdote  of  him — 
He  erects  a  Monument  to  Swartz  at  Tanjore — Epitaph  by  the 
rajah — Other  proofs  of  his  regard — His  conversations  with  Dr. 
Buchanan,  and  Bishops  Middleton  and  Hebcr — Reflections  on  the 
continued  Superstition  of  the  two  rajahs — Monument  to  Swartz 
at  Madras,  by  the  Court  of  Directors — Honors  paid  to  his  memory 
by  the  Government  of  Fort  St.  George — Eulogy  by  Dr.  Kerr — 
His  last  Will. 

Such  was  the  calm  and  peaceful,  yet  triumphant  departure 
of  this  distinguished  missionary.  The  circumstances  which 
attended  his  death  were  precisely  those  which  might  have 
been  anticipated,  from  the  uniform  tenor  of  his  life.  The 
one  had  been  eminently  pious  and  consistent,  exemplary 
and  holy  ;  the  other  was  accompanied  by  those  evident 
tokens  of  the  divine  presence,  and  those  bright  beams  of 
divine  consolation,  hope,  and  joy,  with  which  the  heavenly 
Master,  whom  he  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully  served, 
seldom  fails  to  irradiate  "  the  chamber  where  the  good 
man  breathes  his  last." 

The  loss  of  so  excellent  and  valuable  a  person,  who  had, 
daring  nearly  half  a  century,  occupied  so  conspicuous  a 
place  in  the  sphere  in  which  he  moved,  could  not  but  be 
deeply  felt  by  all  who  had  either  witnessed  or  participated 
in  the  important  benefits  of  which  he  had  been,  in  various 
ways,  the  instrument  or  the  author.  His  missionary  breth- 
ren, his  native  converts,  the  Society  which  he  had  so 
faithfully  served,  and  upon  whose  Christian  efforts  he  had 
reflected  so  much  honor,  the  Hindoo  prince,  of  whom  he 
had  been  the   most  disinterested  and   able  guardian  and 


376  MEMOIRS   OF 

friend,  and  the  East  Indian  government,  both  at  home 
and  abroad,  to  which  he  had  been  so  cordially  attached, 
and  whose  best  interests  he  had  so  zealously  and  effec- 
tively strengthened  and  promoted,  all  vied  with  each  other 
in  the  expression  of  their  regret  and  sorrow  at  his  removal, 
of  their  admiration  and  love  of  his  singular  excellences, 
and  of  their  grateful  veneration  for  his  memory. 

The  feelings  of  his  immediate  colleagues  and  friends  at 
Tanjore,  Trichinopoly,  and  Cuddalore,  have  been  already 
expressed  in  the  pious  and  affectionate  memorials  of  Mr. 
Gericke  and  Mr.  Kohlhoff.  His  brethren  at  Tranquebar, 
who,  from  his  early  connection  with  that  mission,  always 
regarded  him  with  peculiar  esteem  and  love,  in  their  letters 
to  their  European  friends,  mentioned  his  death  "  as  an 
almost  irreparable  loss,"  and  sympathized  deeply  on  the 
occasion  with  their  brethren  of  the  English  mission,  as  they 
all  considered  him  more  as  a  father  than  a  brother. 

On  Mr.  Gericke's  return  from  Tanjore,  he  passed  a  few 
days  at  Tranquebar,  when  he  and  his  Christian  brethren 
there  "  mutually  encouraged  each  other  to  follow  the  high 
example  that  had  been  set  them  by  Mr.  Swartz." 

We  have  already  seen,  that  the  efforts  of  the  excellent 
missionary  to  establish  the  validity  of  Serfojee's  adoption, 
haring  been  sanctioned  by  the  approbation  of  the  supreme 
government  in  Bengal,  waited  only  the  decision  of  the 
Court  of  Directors  to  be  crowned  with  complete  success. 
Intelligence  of  this  important  event  reached  India  in  the 
month  of  June  1798;  when  Ameer  Sing  was  formally 
deposed,  and  the  young  prince  was  raised  to  the  throne. 
It  will  readily  be  believed,  that  the  affection  which  had 
prompted  him  voluntarily  to  depart  from  the  customs  of 
his  country,  in  bedewing  the  remains  of  his  venerable 
friend  with  his  tears,  and  following  in  the  train  of  Chris- 
tian mourners  at  his  funeral,  was  no  transient  effusion  of 
grateful  feelings.  On  his  accession  to  the  musnud,  mind- 
ful of  the  admonitions  of  his  departed  benefactor,  he  cor- 
rected various  abuses,  and  endeavored  to  render  his 
subjects  of  every  denomination  happy,  by  a  just  and  mild 
government,  and  was  particularly  beneficent  to  the  poor 
Christians  at  Tanjore,  in  furnishing  a  large  supply  of  grain 
for  their  support  during  a  time  of  scarcity. 

A  treaty  having  been  concluded  with  the  new  rajah  in 
the  following  year,  in  consequence  of  which  the  forts  of 


Ttin  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  377 

Tanjore  were  evacuated  by  the  British  troops,  the  English 
service  was  discontinued  in  the  fort  church  ;  but  the  rajah 
permitted  the  missionaries  to  perform  the  Tamul  service 
there,  and  promised  to  protect  them  from  all  molestation. 

Notwithstanding  this  assurance,  no  sooner  had  the 
British  garrison  been  withdrawn,  and  the  forts  replaced 
under  the  sole  and  absolute  authority  of  the  rajah,  than  a 
report  prevailed  that  it  was  the  intention  of  his  highness 
to  take  down  the  Christian  church  which  had  been  erected 
by  Mr.  Swartz,  and  to  rebuild  it  on  the  esplanade.  The 
whole  of  the  small  fort  of  Tanjore  being  holy  ground,  de- 
voted originally  to  the  purposes  of  the  pagoda,  together 
with  the  extreme  anxiety  displayed  by  the  rajah,  to  efface, 
by  extraordinary  puri6cations,  all  the  effects  and  traces  of 
the  pollution  which  had  been  inflicted  on  the  pagoda,  for 
twenty  years,  by  its  contact  with  an  European  garrison, 
gave  a  degree  of  probability  to  the  report,  that  inclined 
the  resident,  Mr.  Torin,  to  take  an  opportunity  of  speak- 
ing to  the  rajah  on  the  subject. 

*'  I  was  present,  as  interpreter,"  observes  Colonel  Black- 
burne,  in  whose  expressive  and  elegant  language  the  fol- 
lowing anecdote,  equally  honorable  to  the  rajah,  and  to 
the  pious  missionary,  is  related,  "  at  the  interview  between 
the  rajah  and  the  resident,  when  the  latter,  in  the  course 
of  general  and  familiar  conversation,  alluded,  with  as 
much  delicacy  as  possible,  to  the  supposed  intention  of 
his  highness  to  remove  the  church.  The  effect  on  the 
rajah  was  very  striking.  He  became  agitated  ;  the  color 
heightened;  he  half  rose  from  his  seat,  and  his  first  words, 
in  answer  to  the  resident,  were  an  indignant  reproach  to 
that  gentleman  for  paying  any  attention  whatever  to  a 
calumny,  which  could  be  credited  by  none  but  those  who 
were  alike  ignorant  of  his  disposition  and  principles,  and 
of  the  early  events  of  his  life.  He  eulogized,  in  glowing 
terms,  the  character  and  conduct  of  Mr.  Swartz,  spoke 
of  his  various  obligations  to  the  venerable  padre,  and 
concluded  in  a  loud  and  somewhat  passionate  tone^  as 
follows  : — 

" '  So  far  from  pulling  down  any  church  built  by  Mr. 
Swartz,  I  would,  if  his  successors  wanted  a  church  in  the 
fort,  and  could  not  find  a  convenient  spot  to  build  it  on, 
give  them  a  place  in  my  own  palace  for  the  purpose.' 

"  Although  thirty-three  years  have  passed  away  since 
32* 


378  MEMOIRS  OF 

this  conversation,  I  retain  a  very  lively  remembrance  of 
the  force  of  the  rajah's  expressions,  and  of  tlie  energy 
of  his  look  and  manner,  when  he  spurned  the  report  as  a 
calumny,  injurious  to  his  honor  as  a  prince,  and  to  his  un- 
decaying  feelings  of  grateful  and  affectionate  attachment 
to  his  preceptor,  benefactor,  and  friend." 

In  the  year  ISOl,  the  Hindoo  prince  gave  another  re- 
markable proof  of  his  gratitude  and  respect  for  his  late 
excellent  friend,  by  requesting  the  Society  for  Promoting 
Christian  Knowledge  to  send  out  a  monument  to  his 
memory. 

"  Inclosed,"  Mr.  Gericke  writes,  "  I  beg  leave  to  send 
you  a  letter  from  Serfojee,  maha  rajah  of  Tanjore,  and 
to  recommend  its  contents  to  the  Society.  No  son  can 
have  a  greater  regard  for  his  father,  than  this  good  Hin- 
doo had  for  Mr.  Swartz,  and  still  has  for  his  memory." 

The  letter  of  the  rajah  is  as  Ibllows  : — 

"  To    the    honorable   Society   for   Promoting    Christian 
Knowledge. 

"  Honorable  Sirs, — I  have  requested  of  your  mission- 
aries to  write  to  you,  their  superiors  and  friends,  and  to 
apply  to  you  in  my  name,  for  a  monument  of  marble,  to 
be  erected  in  their  church  that  is  in  my  capital  and  resi- 
dency, to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  late  Rev.  Father 
Swartz,  and  to  manifest  the  great  esteem  I  have  for  the 
character  of  that  great  and  good  man,  and  the  gratitude 
I  owe  him,  my  father,  my  friend,  the  protector  and 
guardian  of  iriy  youth  ;  and  now  I  beg  leave  to  apply  to 
you  myself,  and  to  beg  that,  upon  my  account,  you  will 
order  such  a  monument  for  the  late  reverend  missionary, 
Father  Swartz,  to  be  made,  and  to  be  sent  out  to  me, 
that  it  may  be  fixed  to  the  pillar  that  is  next  to  the  pulpit 
from  which  ho  preached.  The  pillars  of  the  church  are 
about  two  cubits  broad. 

"  May  you,  honorable  sirs,  ever  be  enabled  to  send 
to  this  country  such  missionaries  as  are  like  the  late 
Rev.  Mr.  Swartz  ! 

"  I  am,  honorable  Sirs, 

"  Yours,  faithfully  and  truly, 

"  Serfojee  Rajah. 

"Tanjore,  May  28, 1801." 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  379 

The  Society  to  whom  this  interesting  letter,  probably 
the  composition  of  the  distinguished  writer,  was  addressed, 
feeling  the  importance  of  the  testimony  tlius  borne  to  the 
high  character  of  their  late  invaluable  missionary,  readily 
acquiesced  in  the  request  of  the  rajah  ;  and  a  monument, 
executed  by  Flaxman,  was,  in  consequence,  sent  out  to 
Tanjore.  The  group,  in  white  marble,  represents,  in 
basso  relievo,  the  death-bed  of  the  departing  saint,  Gericke 
standing  behind  him,  two  native  attendants  and  three 
children  of  his  school  around  his  bed,  and  the  Hindoo 
prince  at  his  side,  grasping  the  hand,  and  receiving  the 
blessing  of  his  dying  friend.  For  some  time,  the  rajah, 
unwilling,  perhaps,  to  lose  sight  of  an  object  which  re- 
called a  scene  so  dear  to  him,  retained  this  monument  in 
his  palace  ;  in  the  principal  saloon  of  which,  amidst  the 
portraits  of  his  ancestors,  he  had  also  placed  that  of 
Swartz.  It  was  at  length  removed  to  the  church  in  the 
inner  fort ;  the  western  end  of  which  it  now  adorns,  and 
where,  it  is  hoped,  it  may  long  remain — a  striking  and 
gratifying  memorial  of  Christian  excellence,  and  of  Hin- 
doo gratitude  and  affection.  The  following  is  the  appro- 
priate and  chaste  inscription  on  this  beautiful  monument : 

Bo  t|)e  iJttentors  of  t|)c 
REVEREND    CHRISTIAN    FREDERIC    SWARTZ, 

BORN  AT  SONNENBURG  OF  NEUMARE,  IN  THE  KINGDOM  OF  PRUSSIA, 
THE   26th   of    OCTOBER,   1726, 

a:«d  died  at  tanjore,  the  13th  of  februart,  1798, 

IN   THE    SEVENTT-SECOND    TEAR   OF    HIS   AGE. 

Devoted  from  his  early  manhood  to  the  ofiBce  of  Missionary  in  the  East,  the  simi- 
larity of  his  situation  to  that  of  the  first  preachers  of  the  Gospel,  produced  in 
him  a  peculiar  resemblance  to  the  simple  sanctity  of  the  Apostolic  char- 
acter.   His  natural  vivacity  won  tho  affection,  as  his  unspotttd  probity 
and  purity  of  life  alike  commanded  the  reverence  of  the  Christian, 
Mohammedan,  and  Hindu ;  for  sovereign  princes,  Hindu  and 
Mohammedan,  selected  this  humble  pastor  as  the  medium 
of  political  negotiation  with  the  British  government ; 
and   the  very  marble   which   hero   records   his 
virtues  was  raised  by  the  liberal  affection 
and  esteem  of  the  Raja  of  Tanjore, 
MAHA   RAJA    SERFOJEE. 


380  MEMOIRS   OF 

The  rajah  himself  composed  the  following  lines,  in- 
scribed on  the  granite  stone  which  covers  the  grave  of 
Swartz  in  front  of  the  altar,  in  the  chapel  in  the  mission 
garden  ;  which,  however  deficient  in  poetical  taste,  are  not 
only  curious  as  the  only  specimen  of  English  versification 
known  to  have  been  attempted  by  a  Hindoo  prince,  but 
highly  interesting  as  a  testimony  to  the  character  and 
worth  of  his  venerable  friend,  as  correct  and  just  as  it  is 
affectionate  and  sincere. 

Sacveti  to  tje  if^emovs  of 
THE  REVEREND   CHRISTIAN  FREDERIC   SWARTZ^ 

MISSIONARY   TO    THE   HONORABLE 

SOCIETY  FOR  PROMOTING  CHRISTIAN  KNOWLEBGE, 

IN    LONDON  ; 

WHO   DEPARTED   THIS   LIFE    ON   THE 

13th    of    FEBRUARY,    1798, 

AOED    SEVENTY-ONE    YEARS    AND    FOUR   MONTHS. 

Firm  wast  thou,  humble  and  wise, 

Honest,  pure,  free  from  disguise,  , 

Father  of  orphans,  the  widow's  support. 

Comfort  in  sorrow  of  every  sort. 

To  the  benighted  dispenser  of  light. 

Doing,  and  pointing  to,  that  which  is  rightv 

Blessing  to  princes,  to  people,  to  me ; 

May  I,  my  father,  be  worthy  of  thee  ! 

Wisheth  and  prayeth  thy  Sarabojee. 

From  the  time  of  his  accession  to  the  niusnud,  the 
kindness  of  the  rajah  to  the  Protestant  missions  was 
marked  and  unceasing.  In  1802  his  highness  was  at 
Tranquebar,  and  honored  the  senior  of  the  Danish  mis- 
sionaries with  a  visit.  In  several  conversations  with  him 
he  discovered  the  most  tender  and  filial  remembrance  of 
Mr.  Swartz,  and  expressed  much  friendship  for  Messrs. 
Gericke  and  Kohlhoff,  and  for  all  the  missionaries  in 
whom  he  discovered  the  same  sentiments  and  zeal ;  in- 
timating his  wish,  that  none  but  such  as  would  follow  the 
steps  of  Mr.  Swartz,  and  were  like  him,  at  least  in  spirit, 
might  be  sent  out  to  the  mission.  The  piety  of  Mr. 
Kohlhoff's  mother  had  recommended  her  to  the  rajah's 
attention,  and  had  induced  him  to  take  her  second  son 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  381 

into  his  service  as  a  writer.  Their  lengthened  and  varied 
conversation  with  the  rajah,  ended  to  the  mutual  satisfac- 
tion both  of  his  highness  and  themselves. 

This  generous   prince,  a  few  years  afterwards,  gave  a 
still  more  unequivocal    and   substantial  proof  of  his  affec- 
tion  and   esteem  for    his  late  venerated   friend,  and  one 
which  would   have  been  peculiarly  gratifying   to  his   be- 
nevolent mind.      Having   erected   a  very  extensive   and 
costly  building,  about  sixteen  miles  from  Tanjore,  for  the 
support  of  brahmins,   and  of  poor  of  every   description, 
together    with    an    institution    for   the   maintenance    and 
education  of  Hindoo  children  of  different  castes  in  various 
Oriental,    and    in    the    English,  languages,    "  his   tender 
regard,"  says  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  "  for  the  memory  of  the  late 
Rev.  Mr.  Swartz,   induced   him  also  to  establish  in   the 
adjacent  village  of  Kanandagoodi,  which  is  inhabited  by  a 
considerable  number  of  Christians,  a  charitable  institution 
for  the  education  and  support  of  fifty  poor  Christian  chil- 
dren ;    thirty   poor   Christians    are  also    maintained    and 
clothed    at    the   same   munificent   institution  ;    and   at  a 
choultry  near   the   Fort  of  Tanjore,  fifty  poor,  lame,  and 
blind,  and  other  real   objects  of  charity,  all  belonging  to 
the  mission,  are  entirely  supported  by  his  bounteous  hand. 
He  has  likewise  given  orders,  that  his  Christian  servants, 
civil  and  military,  should  not  be  denied  by  their  officers 
liberty  to  attend  divine   service  on  Sundays  and  festivals, 
and  that  they  should    be  excused    from   all  other  duty  on 
such  occasions."     In  the  year  1826,  Archdeacon  Robin- 
son, then  accompanying  the  late  lamented  Bishop  Heber, 
visited  the  different  charitable  establishments  of  the  rajah 
just  described,  to  which  had  been  subsequently  added  two 
hospitals   for  the  sick,  and  a  beautiful   bungalow  for  the 
accommodation    of   European    travellers ;     when   he   was 
much   pleased  to  see   a  large  congregation  of  Christians 
assembled   in  the  chapel   at  Kanandagoodi,   "to  whom," 
writes  Mr.  Kohllioff,  "  after  morning   prayers,  he   gave  a 
kind  address,  animating  them  to  thankfulness  to  God  for 
his  great  mercies  showed  to  them."* 

Such  were  some  of  the  more  prominent  proofs  given  by 

*  Bishop  Heber's  Journal,  vol.  i.  p.  461,  and  Last  Days  of  Bishop 
Heber,  p.  200. 


382  MEMOIRS  OF 

this  excellent  Hindoo  prince  of  the  respect  and  affection 
which  he  entertained  ibr  the  late  venerable  missionary, 
and  which  he  evidently  cherished  and  manifested  upon 
every  occasion  during  his  whole  life.  When  Dr.  Buchanan 
was  introduced  to  the  rajah,  as  soon  as  the  first  ceremonial 
in  the  grand  hall  of  audience  was  over,  his  highness  led 
him  up  to  the  portrait  of  Swartz.  "  He  then  discoursed," 
says  that  generous  friend  of  missions,  "  for  a  considerable 
time  concerning  '  that  good  man,'  whom  he  ever  revered 
as  his  father  and  guardian." 

When,  ten  years  afterwards.  Bishop  Middleton  visited 
Tanjore,  "  his  highness  dwelt,"  observes  the  biographer 
of  that  eminent  prelate,  "  with  evident  delight  on  the  bles- 
sings which  the  heavenly  lessons  and  virtues  of  Swartz 
had  shed  upon  him  and  his  people,  and  concluded  by  pro- 
fessing the  warmest  respect  for  those  excellent  men,  Mr. 
Kohlhoffand  his  fellow-workers,  who  had  succeeded  to 
the  labors  of  their  venerable  predecessor."  The  rajah 
afterwards  selected  a  portrait  of  Swartz  as  the  most  ac- 
ceptable memorial  he  could  offer  to  the  English  bishop. 

The  account  which  Archdeacon  Robinson  has  given^ 
of  the  interview  of  Bishop  Heber  with  this  grateful  prince, 
ten  years  after  that  of  his  learned  predecessor,  is  equally 
honorable  to  the  memory  of  the  great  and  good  missionary, 
and  in  a  high  degree  interesting. 

"  The  bishop,"  he  writes,  "  paid  a  visit  of  ceremony  to 
the  rajah,  accompanied  by  the  resident,  and  attended  by 
all  the  clergy.  We  were  received  in  full  durbar,  in  the 
great  Mahratta  hall,  where  the  rajahs  are  enthroned. 
The  scene  was  imposing,  and,  from  the  number  of  Chris- 
tian clergymen  in  the  court  of  a  Hindoo  prince,  somewhat 
singular;  the  address  and  manners  of  his  highness  are,  in 
a  remarkable  degree,  dignified  and  pleasing.  The  bishop 
sat  on  his  right,  the  resident  next  to  his  son  on  his  left, 
and  the  rest  of  the  party  on  each  side  in  order.  He 
talked  much  of  '  his  dear  father,'  Swartz,  and  three  times 
told  the  Bishop  he  hoped  his  lordship  would  resemble  him, 
and  stand  in  his  room.  Perhaps  few  things  in  the  mouth 
of  an  Eastern  prince,  with  whom  compliment  to  the  living 

*  Last  Days  of  Bishop  Hebcr,  p.  159. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  333 

is  generally  exaggerated,  could  show  more  strongly  the 
sincerity  of  his  affection  for  the  friend  he  had  lost.  The 
openness  of  his  gratitude  and  reverence  for  the  Christian 
missionary  in  the  midst  of  his  Brahmins,  and  himself  still 
constant  in  his  own  religion,  is  admirable;  and  if  on  some 
occasions  it  be  a  little  too  prominent,  who  would  not  par- 
don and  even  love  a  fault  which  is  but  the  excess  of  a 
virtue  ? — '  And  John  Kohlhoff",'  said  he,  '  is  a  good  man, 
a  very  good  man  ;  we  are  old  school-fellows.' — On  the 
whole,  much  as  we  had  heard  of  this  celebiated  person 
we  found  our  anticipations  had  not  been  raised  too  high. 
Much,  doubtless,  of  the  interest  excited  before  we  saw  him 
sprang  from  the  hallowing  and  endearing  associations  with 
the  name  of  Swartz,  which  in  heathen  India,  or  the  na- 
tions of  Christendom,  must  ever  be 

"  Magnum  et  venerahih  nomen  :" 

It  may,  perhaps,  appear  extraordinary,  that  the  Hindoo 
prince  who  had,  during  his  youth,  been  under  the  tuition 
of  the  pious  and  zealous  missionary,  who  was  evidently  so 
warmly  attached  to  him,  and  for  whose  virtues  he  had  so 
deep  a  reverence,  should  have  continued  during  his  whole 
life,  and  apparently  with  entire  sincerity,  a  devoted  adher- 
ent to  the  wretched  idolatry  of  his  country.  Greatly  as  this 
must  be  lamented,  both  for  his  own  sake  and  that  of  his 
people,  it  must  be  remembered,  that  the  first  twelve  years 
of  Serfojee's  life  were  spent  amidst  the  listless  indolence 
and  the  childish  amusements  of  the  Zennanah,  and  that 
with  the  exception  of  the  scattered  hours  during  which  he 
received  the  instructions  of  Swartz,  and,  when  called  to  the 
throne,  of  occasional  and  chiefly  official  intercourse  with 
him  and  other  Europeans,  his  habits  and  associations  were 
almost  exclusively  Hindoo,  and  consequently  subversive 
of  any  more  enlightened  views,  and  any  better  impressions 
which  he  might  have  derived  from  his  Christian  tutor.  It 
has  been  supposed  that  the  good  missionary  was  restrained 
by  a  principle  of  honor  from  any  direct  endeavors  to  con- 
vert his  distinguished  pupil ;  and,  doubtless,  he  felt  and 
acted  with  the  most  perfect  good  faith  in  all  that  con- 
cerned so  responsible  and  delicate  an  office.  But  no  such 
restriction   appears  to  have  been  imposed   upon  him   by 


384  MEMOIRS  OF 

Tuljajee  Rajah,  with  respect  to  the  education  of  his  adopt- 
ed son  ;  and  it  is  evident  from  the  preceding  details  of  his 
intercourse  with  both  the  Hindoo  princes,  that  he  felt  him- 
self at  liberty  to  exhort  them  to   renounce  their  idolatry, 
and  to  worship  the  true  God  according  to  the  revelation  of 
the  gospel ;  an  affecting  instance  of  which  occurs  in  the 
last  solemn   interview  between   the  younger  of  them   and 
the  dying   missionary.     Both  were   probably  convinced  of 
the  folly  of  the  native  superstition,  and  impressed  with  the 
superior  excellence  of  Christianity,  as   they   perceived   it 
attractively  exemplified  in  their  revered  friend  ;  but,  as  in 
too  many   instances   in   every  age   and    country,  whether 
under  the  form  of  false  religion,  or  of  indifference  and  un- 
belief, the  pure  and  practical  demands  of  the  gospel  were, 
as  Tuljajee   once   ingenuously  confessed,  too   directly  op- 
posed to  the  corrupt  propensities  of  human   nature  to  be 
readily  complied   with,  while  the  sacrifice   not   merely  of 
caste,  but,  as  they  erroneously  apprehended,   of  princely 
revenue   and  authority,  and   possibly  even  of  life,  was  too 
formidable  to  be  overcome  by  any  thing  short  of  that  divine 
grace,  which   can,  in  spite  of  every   opposing   influence, 
"  bring  every  thought  into  captivity  to  the  dominion  of 
Christ."     Both  these  Eastern  princes,  therefore,  contented 
with  that  sincere  admiration  and  esteem  of  the  faithful 
missionary,  which  induced  them  to  show  kindness  for  his 
sake  to  their  converted  subjects,  for  themselves  unhappily 
turned   aside   from   the   heavenly  vision,   and   were   only 
"  almost  persuaded   to   be  Christians."     Such  appears  to 
have  been  the  truth,  with  respect  more  particularly  to  Ser- 
fojee   Rajah  ;  the   intelligence  of  whose   unexpected  de- 
cease, in  the  course  of  the  last  year,  only  serves  to  awaken, 
with   increased   interest,  the  regret  it  is  impossible  not  to 
feel,  that  the  pupil  and  friend  of  Swartz  should  have  lived 
and  died   a  stranger  to  the  exalted  hi -pes  and  consolations 
of  the  gospel.      May  the  successor  of  this  amiable  prince, 
trained,  as  he  has  been,  in  hereditary  respect  for  Christian 
missionaries,  and   partly  under  the  care  of  (he  excellent 
Kohlhoff,   by  the   grace  of  God,  advance   beyond   his  two 
immediate  predecessors,  in  the  acknowledgment  of  revealed 
truth  ;  or  if  this  be,  as  yet,  too  sanguine  a  hope,  may  he, 
at  least,  tread   in  their  steps,  and  continue,  like  them,  the 
protector  and  friend  of  Christians  ! 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  385 

In  his  interview  with  Bishop  Middleton,  the  late  rajah  of 
Tanjore  avowed  his  very  natural  feehng  of  exultation  in 
having  been  the  first  to  do  honor  to  the  character  of  Swartz, 
by  giving  orders  for  a  monument  to  be  erected  to  his  me- 
mory. The  Directors  of  the  East  India  Company  were 
equally  anxious  to  mark  the  high  sense  which  they  enter- 
tained of  his  personal  and  public  worth,  by  sending  out 
another  monument  to  Madras.  The  following  is  an  ex- 
tract of  a  general  letter  from  the  court  to  the  government 
of  Fort  St.  George,  dated  October  29,  1807. 

"  By  our  extra  ship,  the  Union,  you  will  receive,  in  four 
packing  cases,  a  marble  monument,  which  has  been  exe- 
cuted by  Mr.  Ba^on,  under  our  directions,  to  the  memory 
of  the  Rev.  Christian  Frederic  Swartz,  as  the  most  ap- 
propriate testimony  of  the  deep  sense  we  entertain  of  his 
transcendent  merit,  of  his  unwearied  and  disinterested 
labors  in  the  cause  of  religion  and  piety,  and  the  exercise 
of  the  purest  and  most  exalted  benevolence  ;  also  of  his 
public  services  at  Tanjore,  where  the  influence  of  his  name 
and  character,  through  the  unbounded  confidence  and 
veneration  which  they  inspired,  was  for  a  long  course  of 
years  productive  of  important  benefits  to  the  Company. 

"  On  no  subject  has  the  Court  of  Directors  been  more 
unanimous,  than  in  their  anxious  desire  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  this  eminent  person,  and  to  excite  in  others  an 
emulation  of  his  great  example.  We  accordingly  direct, 
that  the  monument  be  erected  in  some  conspicuous  situa- 
tion near  the  altar  in  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  in  Fort  St. 
George,  and  that  you  adopt,  in  conjunction  and  with  the 
assistance  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kerr,  the  senior  chaplain  at 
your  presidency,  any  other  measures  that  your  judgment 
shall  suggest,  as  likely  to  give  effect  to  these  our  intentions, 
and  to  render  them  impressive  on  the  minds  of  the  public 
at  your  settlement.  As  one  of  the  most  efficacious,  we 
would  recommend  that,  on  the  first  Sunday  after  the  erec- 
tion of  the  monument,  a  discourse  adapted  to  the  occasion 
be  delivered  by  the  senior  chaplain.  We  desire  also  that 
the  native  inhabitants,  by  whom  Mr.  Swartz  was  so  justly 
revered,  may  be  permitted  and  encouraged  to  view  the 
monument,  after  that  it  shall  have  been  erected,  and  that 
translations  be  made  of  the  inscription  into  the  country 
languages,  and  published  at  Madras,  and  copies  sent  to 
Tanjore,  and  the  other  districts  in  which  Mr.  Swartz  oc- 
33 


386  MEMOIRS  OF 

casionally  resided,  and  established  seminaries  for  religious 
instruction. 

"  We  were  much  gratified  by  learning  that  his  excel- 
lency the  rajah  of  Tanjore  had  also  been  desirous  of  erect- 
ing a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Swartz,  in  the 
church  which  was  built  by  Mr.  Swartz  himself  in  the  inner 
fort  of  that  capital,  and  had  sent  directions  accordingly  to 
this  country,  in  consequence  of  which  a  monumen<;  has 
been  executed  by  Mr.  Flaxman.  We  shall  give  directions 
for  its  being  received  on  board  one  of  our  ships,  free  of 
freight,  and  we  desire  that  you  will  afford  every  facility 
towards  its  conveyance  to  Tanjore." 

In  the  monument  thus  sent  out  to  Madras  by  the  Direc- 
tors of  the  East  India  Company,  the  eminent  artist,  who, 
from  his  well-known  character  as  a  sincere  Christian, 
doubtless  executed  it  with  feelings  of  peculiar  gratification, 
thought  proper,  as  Flaxman  had  also  done,  to  describe  the 
closing  scene  in  the  life  of  the  apostolic  missionary. 

The  principal  compartment  of  the  monument  is  occu- 
pied with  an  nlto-relievo,  representing  Swartz  surrounded 
by  a  group  of  his  orphan  pupils,  to  whom  he  afforded  an 
asylum  in  his  house,  and  by  several  of  his  fellow-laborers, 
who  attended  him  in  his  last  moments.  One  of  the  chil- 
dren is  embracing  his  dying  hand,  and  one  of  the  mission- 
aries is  supporting  his  head  ;  but  the  eyes  of  the  departing 
saint  are  directed,  and  his  hand  is  raised,  towards  an 
object  in  the  upper  part  of  the  bas-relief,  namely,  the  cross, 
which  is  borne  by  a  descending  angel;  implying,  that  the 
death  of  Christ,  the  grand  subject  of  his  ministry,  was 
now  the  chief  support  of  his  soul. 

Over  the  bas-relief  is  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  which 
was  peculiarly  the  charge  of  the  priests,  and  was  a  striking 
emblem  of  the  constant  theme  of  his  preaching. 

Under  the  bas-relief  are  further  emblems  of  the  pastoral 
office — the  crosier,  the  gospel  trumpet,  with  the  banner  of 
the  cross  attached  to  it,  and  an  open  Bible,  on  which  is 
inscribed  our  Lord's  coniuiission  to  his  apostles,  "  Go  ye 
into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture." 

On  this  splendid  and  appropriate  monument,  the  follow- 
ing elaborate  inscription  is  engraved. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  387 

Sacrcti  to  tj)e  iJ^cmovj)  of 
THE  REV.  CHRISTIAN  FREDERIC  SWARTZ, 

rHOSE    LIFE    WAS     OKE     CONTINUED     EFFORT    TO     IMITATE    THE     EXAMPLE    OF 

HIS  BLESSED  MASTER. 

Employed  a?  a  Protestant  Missionary  from  the  government  of  Denmark, 
and  in  tlie  same  character  hy  the  Society  in  England  for  the  Promo- 
tion of  Christian  Knowledge,  he,  during  a  period  of  fifty  years,  "  went 
about  doing  good,"  manifesting,  in  respect  to  himself,  the  most  entire 
abstraction  from  temporal  views,  but  embracing  every  opportunity  of 
promoting  both  the  temporal  and  eternal  welfare  of  others.  In  him 
religion  appeared  not  Avith  a  gloomy  aspect  or  forbidding  mien,  but 
with  a  graceful  form  and  placid  dignity.  Among  the  many  fruits 
of  his  indefatigable  labors  was  the  erection  of  the  church  at  Tanjore. 
The  savings  from  a  small  salary  were,  for  many  years,  devoted  to  this 
pious  work,  and  the  remainder  of  the  expense  supplieil  by  individuals 
at  his  solicitation.  The  Christian  seminarie's  at  Ramanadporam  and 
in  the  Tinnevelly  province  were  established  by  him.  Beloved  and 
honored  by  Europeans,  he  was,  if  possible,  held  in  still  deeper  rever- 
ence by  the  natives  of  this  country,  of  every  degree  and  every  sect; 
and  their  unbounded  confidence  in  his  integrity  and  truth,  was,  on 
many  occasions,  rendered  highly  beneficial  in  the  public  service. 
The  poor  and  the  injured  looked  up  to  him  as  an  unfailing  firiend 
and  advocate  ;  the  great  and  powerful  concurred  in  yielding  him  the 
highest  homage  ever  paid  in  this  quarter  of  the  globe  to  European 
virtue.  The  late  Hydur  Ally  Cawn,  in  the  midst  of  a  bloody  and 
vindictive  war  with  the  Carnatic,sont  orders  to  his  officers  "to  permit 
the  venerable  father  Swartz  to  pass  unmolested,  and  show  him 
respect  and  kindness,  for  he  is  a  holy  man,  and  means  no  harm  to 
my  government."  The  late  Tuljajee  Rajah  of  Tanjoro,  when  on 
his  death-bed,  desired  to  intrust  to  his  protecting  care  bis  adopted 
son,  Serfojee,  the  present  Rajah,  with  tlie  administration  of  all  the 
affairs  of  his  country.  On  a  spot  of  ground,  granted  to  him  by  the 
same  prince,  two  miles  east  of  Tanjore,  he  built  a  house  for  his 
residence,  and  made  it  an  Orphan  Asylum.  Here  the  last  twenty  years 
of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  education  and  religious  instruction  of 
children,  particularly  those  of  indigent  parents,  whom  he  gratuitously 
maintained  and  instructed;  and  here,  on  the  1.3th  of  February,  1798, 
surrounded  by  his  infant  flock,  and  in  the  presence  of  several  of  his 
disconsolate  brethren,  entreating  them  to  continue  to  make  religion 
the  first  object  of  their  care,  and  imploring  with  his  last  breath  the 
divine  blessing  on  their  labors,  he  closed  his  truly  Christian  career 
in  the  72d  year  of  his  ago. 

THE  EAST  INDIA  COMPANY, 

anxious  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  such  transcendent  worth, 

and  gratefully  sensible  of  the  public  benefits  which 

resulted  from  his  influence,  caused  this 

monument  to  be  erected 

Ann.  Dom.  1807. 


388  MEMOIRS  OF 

For  the  purpose  of  obtaining  correct  information,  Dr. 
Kerr,  the  senior  chaplain  at  Fort  St.  George,  corresponded 
with  his  surviving  brethren  at  Tanjore  ;  and,  in  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  from  the  discourse  which  he  preached  and 
printed  on  this  interesting  occasion,  he  may  be  considered 
not  only  as  speaking  with  the  full  approbation  of  the  East 
Indian  government,  but  as  appealing,  on  the  spot,  to  those 
who  were  themselves  witnesses  of  the  truth  of  his  asser- 
tions. 

"  The  man,"  observes  this  truly  Christian  preacher, 
"  who  follows  the  injunction  of  his  Saviour,  '  Go  ye  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,' — 
whose  soul  is  devoted  to  this  one  object,  who  submits  to  a 
thousand  privations  in  the  discharge  of  his  high  calling, 
who  devotes  mind  and  body  to  the  eternal  interests 
of  benighted  nations,  who  is  exposed  to  numberless 
dangers  in  the  course  of  his  journeyings,  yet  goes  on 
rejoicing  to  the  end  ; — such  a  man  is  surely  deserving  of 
our  high  esteem,  and  has  the  strongest  claim  on  the  be- 
nevolent feelings  of  all  mankind. 

"  There  is  a  grandeur  in  the  self-dedication  of  a  human 
being  to  such  an  undertaking,  which  is  not  to  be  dis- 
cerned in  the  other  pursuits  of  life.  Worldly  ambition  has 
her  splendid  votaries,  seeking  honor  in  the  midst  of  danger, 
and  in  t!ie  face  of  death.  In  search  of  the  wealth  of  this 
world,  we  have  millions  of  examples  of  the  most  hardy 
enterprises  undertaken,  and  body  and  soul  are  daily  sacri- 
ficed to  this  object;  but  in  the  persevering  effort  to  call 
the  heathen  from  their  debasing  superstitions  to  the  wor- 
ship of  the  true  God,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  in  the  constant 
endeavor  to  extend  the  blessings  of  civilization,  which 
always  accompany  the  true  religion,  to  a  people  whom  the 
darkest  clouds  of  ignorance  and  its  thousands  of  ills  over- 
shadow; to  labor  to  emancipate  the  souls  of  men  from  the 
thraldom  of  satanic  influence,  from  priestcraft,  and  from 
idle  or  vicious  ceremonies — ceremonies  calculated  to  im- 
pose on  the  understanding,  and  to  destroy  the  finest  feel- 
ings of  the  heart ;  to  be  employed,  I  say,  in  such  pursuits, 
to  follow  them  up  with  honest  zeal,  with  firm  faith  in  the 
divine  assistance,  and  the  power  of  the  gospel,  must  be 
acknowledged,  whether  we  consider  the  motives  which 
stimulate,  or  the  object  in  view,  to  be  the  most  glorious, 
the  most  honorable  of  all  undertakings. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  389 

"  When,  therefore,  we  reflect,  that  such  was  the  office 
of  the  man  whose  virtues  we  are  this  day  called  to  cele- 
brate ;  when  we  know  that  he  was  peculiarly  distinguished 
in  the  course  of  this  high  office  ;  that,  by  the  mere  effi^ct 
of  Christian  virtue,  he  attracted  the  love  and  secured  the 
confidence,  not  only  of  the  flock  which  he  had  called  from 
pagan  darkness,  and  illumined  with  the  blessed  light  of 
the  gospel,  but  that  he  was  reverenced  far  and  near  by  all 
castes  and  descriptions  of  people  ;  that  he  was  even  re- 
spected by  the  enemies  of  our  nation,  and  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a  bloody  war  was  permitted  to  preach  the 
doctrines  of  peace  on  the  very  battlements  of  our  enemy  ; 
when  we  reflect  on  these  things,  what  reverence  does  it 
inspire  for  the  man  !  What  a  signal  testimony  does  it 
afford  of  the  power  of  gospel  truth,  strikingly  evidenced 
in  the  faithful  practice  of  a  gospel  life !  And  what  a  con- 
vincing proof  does  it  present  of  the  great  benefit  to  be  de- 
rived from  the  labors  of  missionaries,  well  directed,  and 
honestly  and  zealously  prosecuted  ! 

"It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  the  extraordinary 
humility  of  this  most  excellent  man,  ever  averse  to  display 
of  every  kind,  has  been  the  virtuous  cause  why  we  are 
not  in  possession  of  sufficient  materials  to  give  a  succinct 
account  of  the  various  and  important  labors  in  which  he 
was  continually  engaged. 

"  Indeed,  his  mind  was  so  impressed  with  the  just  sense 
of  the  value  of  his  time,  and  the  necessity  for  unceasing 
application  in  his  calling,  that  he  had  little  leisure  for 
even  giving  those  details  which  were  expected  from  him 
by  the  societies  under  whose  direction  he  had  entered 
upon  his  missionary  labors,  and  they  were  often  indebted 
to  others  for  information  regarding  the  important  services 
of  their  faithful  Swartz." 

After  briefly  mentioning  the  commencement  of  his 
career  in  India,  his  success  in  the  conversion  of  many  of 
the  natives,  and  in  exciting  a  spirit  of  inquiry  among  the 
brahmins,  his  establishment  of  schools,  and  his  various 
benevolent  and  charitable  labors,  Dr.  Kerr  thus  pro- 
ceeds:— 

"  Such  a  course  of  life,  zealously  pursued  for  a  long 

series  of  years,  and  accompanied  with  that  sweetly  social 

disposition  for  which  he  was  remarkable,  gained  him  many 

friends,  and  thousands  of  admirers.     The  blessing  of  th« 

33* 


390  MEMOIRS  OF 

fatherless  and  widow  came  upon  him,  and  his  hope  was 
gladness.  He  rejoiced  evermore  in  witnessing  the  divine 
effects  of  his  honest  endeavors;  and,  if  he  did  not  make 
converts  of  all  witli  whom  he  associated,  he  seldom  failed 
to  make  friends  of  those  with  whom  he  happened  to  com- 
municate. Not  that  he  ever  compromised  a  paramount 
duty  from  any  false  politeness,  or  deference  to  superior 
station  ;  for  he  decidedly  and  openly  declared  the  con- 
demnation of  all,  who  boldly  and  openly  set  gospel  rules 
at  defiance,  as  often  as  an  opportunity  for  the  purpose 
occurred.  His  reproof,  however,  was  tempered  with  so 
much  good  nature;  the  desire  of  doing  good  to  the 
offenders  was  so  obviously  his  intention  ;  that  he  seldom 
provoked  the  smallest  ill-will  by  the  strong,  but  fatherly 
remonstrances,  which  irreligious  conversation  and  conduct 
frequently  drew  from  him.  Indeed,  he  seemed  peculiarly 
gifted  by  divine  Providence  with  a  happy  manner,  which 
enabled  him  to  turn  almost  every  occurrence,  whether 
great  or  trivial,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God. 

"  Sensible  that  no  trifling  efforts  could  be  productive  of 
any  good  purpose  in  the  missionary  cause  in  any  country, 
but  most  particularly  in  India,  he  determined  that  nothing 
should  draw  him  aside,  either  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left. 
With  this  view,"  as  it  has  been  already  observed,  "  he 
early  resolved  on  a  life  of  celibacy.  With  the  same  view, 
he  accustomed  himself  to  the  most  frugal  and  temperate 
system  of  diet ;  for  many  years  of  his  life  being  accus- 
tomed to  give  ten  pagodas*  at  the  beginning  of  each  month 
to  his  servant,  to  provide  for  the  expenses  of  his  table,  and 
giving  himself  no  trouble  as  to  the  manner  in  which  it 
was  supplied  ;  and,  except  when  objects  of  charity  re- 
minded him  of  his  poverty,  he  considered  the  wealth  of 
this  world  as  the  dust  of  the  earth." 

Dr.  Kerr  then  refers  to  Swartz's  celebrated  mission  to 
Hyder  Ali,  the  death-bed  scene  of  'j'uljnjee  Rajah,  his 
influence  with  the  natives,  and  other  remarkable  illustra- 
tions of  his  character,  which  are  recorded  in  the  preceding 
pages.     He  then  continues: — 

"  Amidst  such  great  public  undertakings,  and  the  high 
degree  of  consideration  attached  by  all  ranks  of  people  in 

*  About  £4  sterling.  The  reader  will  remember  Mr.  Chambers's 
account  of  his  early  simplicity  and  self-denial. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  391 

this  country  to  Mr.  Swartz's  character,  every  road  to  the 
gratification  of  ambition  and  avarice  was  completely  open 
before  him.  Courted  by  the  prince  of  the  country  in 
which  he  resided  ;  reverenced  almost  to  adoration  by  the 
people  at  large;  confidentially  employed  by  the  English 
government  in  objects  of  the  first  political  importance,  to 
his  great  honor  it  must  be  recorded,  that  he  continued  to 
value  these  things  only  as  they  appeared  likely  to  prove 
subservient  to  his  missionary  work,  as  they  made  friends 
to  assist  him  in  the  building  of  his  churches,  or  the  estab- 
lishment of  his  schools  over  the  country.  With  the  single 
eye  of  the  gospel,  he  looked  only  to  the  diffusion  of  divine 
truth,  and  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  through  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus.  The  same  principles  which  raised  him  in  the 
public  estimation,  he  continued  to  cherish  in  every  stage 
of  his  elevation.  Uncontaminated  by  the  venality  and 
corruption  whicli,  from  various  quarters,  it  is  well  known, 
assailed  his  virtue,  he  continued  his  missionary  life,  carry- 
ing his  cross,  and  following  the  steps  of  his  divine  Master 
to  the  end  of  his  earthly  being." 

Such  was  the  testimony  borne  by  this  zealous  chaplain 
of  the  East  India  Company  to  the  various  and  e,\alted 
excellencies  of  the  revered  and  lamented  missionary,  in 
the  presence  of  the  governor  and  council  and  principal 
inhabitants  of  Madras,  assembled  in  the  presidency  church, 
on  the  solemn,  yet  gratifying,  occasion  of  introducing  to 
public  notice  the  monument  thus  munificently  erected  to 
his  memory.  It  may  be  doubted  whether  any  equal  or 
similar  honor  was  ever  paid  to  so  humble,  though  eminent, 
an  individual,  shrinking,  as  he  invariably  did,  with  the 
most  genuine  and  unaffected  modesty,  from  all  public 
acknowledgment  of  his  services,  and  anxious  only,  as  he 
was  in  all  that  he  achieved,  to  ascribe  the  glory  to  Him 
to  whom  alone  all  glory  is  due.  This  just  and  spontaneous 
tribute  to  his  virtues  was  equally  honorable  to  Swartz,  and 
to  the  distinguished  persons  by  whom  it  was  so  wisely  and 
liberally  offered  ;  and  is  at  once  a  proof  of  his  extraor- 
dinary merit,  and  of  the  sure  and  signal  reward  which 
awaits  such  a  life  as  his,  even  in  the  present  world. 

One  other  document  remains  to  be  added,  in  illustration 
of  the  character  of  this  devoted  missionary,  and  that  is 
his  last  will  with  respect  to  the  disposal  of  his  temporal 


392  MEMOIRS   OF 

property  ;  and  it  will  be  found,  as  might  justly  be  expected, 
beautifully  corresponding  with  the  disinterested  and  truly 
Christian  tenor  of  his  life.     It  is  as  follows  : — 

"  In  the  name  of  God.  Into  thine  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit ;  thou  hast  redeemed  me,-  thou  faithful  God ! 
Wherein  I  have  sinned,  (and  I  have  often  and  greatly 
sinned  against  thee,)  forgive  it  graciously  for  the  sake  of 
the  reconciliation-sacrifice  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord,  and 
let  me  find  mercy.  Grant  me,  for  Christ's  sake,  a  blessed 
departure  out  of  this  sorrowful,  and  a  blessed  entrance 
into  that  joyful,  life.     Amen. 

"  As  I  know  not  how  soon  God  may  call  me  hence,  I 
therefore  make  this  my  last  will  in  the  presence  of  God, 
and  with  full  deliberation. 

"  As  the  house  in  the  greater  fort,  as  well  as  that  in  the 
little  fort,  together  with  the  church,  and  certain  houses  in 
the  garden  without  the  fort,  were  erected  out  of  the 
money  which  was  assigned  me  monthly  by  the  Company, 
so  I  look  on  them,  as  I  ever  have  regarded  them,  namely, 
to  be  the  houses  of  the  mission. 

**  All  moveables  and  books  shall  be  assigned  over  to  my 
successors  for  the  good  of  the  mission,  to  be  all  used  as 
long  as  they  are  serviceable,  and  not  to  be  sold. 

"  As  I  have  not  spent  my  monthly  salary  from  the 
Company,  but  (except  what  I  have  devoted  to  the  erection 
of  several  buildings)  have  suflfered  it  to  accumulate,  and 
assigned  it  over  to  my  two  trustees,  namely,  my  beloved 
brother,  Mr.  Gericke,  and  my  friend,  Mr.  Briethaupt,  of 
Madras,  so  such  sum  shall  also  be  employed  for  the  ben- 
efit of  the  mission  ;  but  in  such  manner  that  my  successor 
here  at  Tanjore,  and  the  missionary  who  shall  carry  on 
the  work  of  God  for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen  at 
Palamcotta,  shall  receive  for  themselves  the  annual  interest 
of  one  hundred  pounds  sterling,  (that  is  to  say,  fifty 
pounds  each,)  because  the  fifty  pounds  which  they  each 
receive  yearly  of  the  honorable  Company,  is  barely  suf- 
ficient. Should  they,  however,  receive  of  the  Company  a 
monthly  augmentation,  then  they  have  no  right  to  receive 
also  the  fifty  pounds  bequeathed  by  me.  This  is  in  that 
case  to  fall  into  the  mission  or  the  poor-chest. 

"  It  is  hereby  my  earnest  desire,  that  those  missionaries 
who  take  upon  themselves  the  work  of  God  in  Tanjore 


THE   REV.   C.  F.  SWARTZ.  393 

and  Palamcotta,  should  employ  the  interest  which  remains 
to  assist  and  help  themselves,  as  they  find  it  necessary. 
Perhaps  the  Tanjore  mission  may  employ  two  thirds,  and 
that  at  Palamcotta  one  third  of  the  interest,  for  the  use  of 
the  schools  and  churches. 

"  As  my  relations  have  no  claim  on  what  I  devise  and 
have 'set  apart  to  the  mission;  therefore  I  bequeath  to 
them  one  hundred  star  pagodas,  as  a  testimony  of  my  affec- 
tion, which  the  children  of  my  sister  are  to  divide  among 
themselves  in  equal  portions. 

"The  two  gold  watches  that  have  been  given  rae,  shall 
be  sold,  and  the  money  be  distributed  to  the  poor. 

"  As  a  token  of  my  affection,  I  bequeath  to  Joseph,  my 
former  servant,  thirty  star  pagodas. 

"  With  respect  to  the  garden  without  the  fort,  belonging 
to  the  mission,  I  wish  that,  if  possible,  the  gardener  may 
be  supported  out  of  the  income.  What  remains  over,  can, 
without  fiirther  reckoning,  fall  to  the  missionaries,  and 
the  school-children. 

"  The  few  utensils  of  silver  which  I  possess,  I  leave  to 
Mr.  Kohlhoff,  as  a  token  of  my  hearty  love. 

"As  my  former  servant  Joseph,  on  account  of  his  ill 
conduct,  ought  not  to  receive  the  thirty  star  pagodas  des- 
tined for  him,  1  bequeath  them  to  the  servant  who  shall 
be  in  my  service  at  the  time  of  my  death,  provided  he 
behave  himself  tolerably  well. 

"  Christian  Frederic  Swartz. 

"  Subscribed  and  sealed  in  the  presence  of 
"Joseph  Daniel  Jcenicke, 
"  J.  C.  Kohlhoff." 

The  principal  features  of  this  interesting  document, 
containing  the  record  of  the  venerable  missionary's  latest 
earthly  views  and  feelings,  are  in  perfect  unison  with 
all  that  preceded  it.  Piety,  humility,  simplicity,  mark 
its  spiritual  expressions  ;  the  purest  principles,  and  Chris- 
tian charity  of  the  most  enlarged  and  exalted  nature, 
dictated  the  rest.  What  the  frugality  and  self-denial  of 
nearly  half  a  century  had  enabled  him  to  accumulate,  after 
all  that  he  had  in  the  course  of  that  long  period  expended 
upon  similar  purposes,  was  devoted  to  the  promotion  of 
the  sacred  work  to  which  his  life  had  been  so  uniformly 


394  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  so  successfully  dedicated.     "The  cause  of  Christ," 
as  he  intimated  on  his  death-bed,  "was  his  heir." 

Upon  the  subject  of  tliis  final  bequest,  Mr.  Gericke,  a 
few  months  after  the  death  of  his  revered  friend,  com- 
municated the  following  particulars  to  professor  Schultz. 

"  His  temporal  property  he  had  already,  many  years 
before  his  death,  made  over  to  the  mission  at  Tanjore  and 
Palamcotta,  and  the  congregations  and  institutions  belong- 
ing to  them  ;  and  for  that  purpose  appointed  me  as  trustee, 
and  I  had  joined  Mr.  Breithaupt  with  myself,  in  the  deed. 
He  therefore,  in  his  will,  mentions  no  executor,  that  it 
might  thereby  be  known,  that  the  whole  was  already  the 
property  of  the  mission,  and  no  longer  belonged  to 
Mr.  Swartz.  As  he  received  an  allowance  from  govern- 
ment, from  which  he  was  enabled  to  defray  all  the  ex- 
penses incurred  at  Tanjore  and  Palamcotta,  he  allowed 
the  interest,  and  often  his  salary  likewise,  to  fall  into  the 
mission-capital.  No  one  will  therefore  wonder  that  he 
should  have  been  able  to  accomplish  so  much  towards  the 
outward  support  of  the  mission." 

The  fund  thus  generously  provided  for  the  mission  at 
Tanjore,  and  its  branch  in  Tinnevelly,  by  their  revered 
benefactor,  amounted  to  between  eight  and  ten  thousand 
pounds  sterling  ;  a  sum  which,  combined  with  the  allow- 
ances from  the  British  government,  from  the  rajah  of 
Tanjore,  and  from  other  .sources,  was  sufficient  during 
many  years  to  support  the  charities,  and  to  defray  the 
ordinary  expenditure  of  the  mission  ;  and  though  a  part 
of  it  was  afterwards  sunk  by  the  imprudence  of  a  mis- 
sionary, long  since  departed,  it  still  continues  to  contribute 
towards  those  Christian  and  important  objects,  and  to 
form  a  lasting  memorial  of  the  disinterested  zeal  and  love 
of  its  pious  and  munificent  founder. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  395 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

Review  of  the  character  of  Swartz. 

The  character  and  life  of  Swartz  have  now  been  devel- 
oped in  all  their  bearings  and  relations  ;  and  it  is  confi- 
dently hoped,  that  the  judgment  universally  formed  of  his 
unrivalled  excellence  as  a  Christian  missionary,  and  the 
high  estimation  in  which  he  has  been  so  long  and  so  de- 
servedly held,  both  in  India  and  in  Europe,  will  not  only 
be  confirmed,  but  strengthened  and  enhanced,  by  the  more 
complete  view  comprised  in  the  preceding  memoirs  of  his 
principles,  sentiments,  and  conduct.  Substantially,  there 
has  never  been  but  one  opinion  respecting  this  extraordi- 
nary man  ;  but  though  all  who  take  an  interest  in  the  pro- 
motion of  Christianity  in  India  have  thus  concurred  in 
ascribing  to  him  the  pre-eminence  in  this  sacred  and  im- 
portant work,  the  impression  has  been,  for  the  most  part, 
general  and  undefined,  rather  than  the  result  of  clear 
and  enlarged  apprehensions  of  his  character  and  course. 
These,  illustrated  as  they  have  been  by  many  public  docu- 
ments, and  by  a  series  of  private  and  confidential  com- 
munications, have  now,  it  is  trusted,  been  fully  and 
satisfactorily  displayed.  Briefly,  therefore,  to  review  the 
holy  and  beneficent  career  of  this  "  man  of  God,"  and  to 
point  out,  more  especially  to  those  who  may  be  engaged 
in  similar  Christian  labors,  the  force  and  efiicacy  of  his 
example,  will  form  no  unsuitable  or  unprofitable  sequel  to 
this  record  of  his  admirable  life. 

Piety  of  no  ordinary  depth  and  energy  formed  the  basis 
of  his  character.  Unmarked  by  the  terror  and  alarm 
which  have  sometimes  led  to  peculiarly  zealous  and  self- 


396  MEMOIRS  OF 

denying  labors  in  the  cause  of  religion,  its  origin  and 
nature  were  calm  and  gentle  as  the  "still  small  voice  " 
which  opened  the  heart  of  Mary  and  of  Lydia  to  the  re- 
ception of  divine  truth,  yet  not  less  powerful  and  effica- 
cious than  that  which  penetrated  and  subdued  the  per- 
secuting Saul  of  Tarsus  to  the  faith  and  obedience  of  the 
gospel.  The  mind  of  Swartz  was  at  a  very  early  period 
of  his  history  deeply  and  permanently  impressed  with  the 
ineffable  love  of  God  in  the  work  of  man's  redemption. 
The  great  "  mystery  of  godliness," — *'  God  in  Christ 
reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,"  not  sparing  "  his  own 
Son,"  but  delivering  him  up  to  death  for  us  all,  to  "  the 
death  of  the  cross" — this  miracle  of  mercy,  this  astonish- 
ing proof  of  divine  love,  this  wonderful  and  effectual  pro- 
vision for  human  guilt  and  misery,  brought  home  to  his 
heart  in  "  demonstration  of  the  spirit  and  of  power," 
humbling,  consoling,  purifying,  elevating  him,  took  pos- 
session of  his  soul,  absorbed  every  opposing  and  every 
secular  thought,  and  excited  in  him,  as  in  the  converted 
apostle,  that  one  simple,  predominating,  inextinguishable 
inquiry,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?" 

It  is  impossible  to  peruse  the  letters  of  Swartz,  even 
from  the  commencement  of  his  course,  without  perceiv- 
ing that  the  very  essence  of  his  religion  was  this  heart- 
felt impression  of  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
the  cordial  acceptance  of  that  message  of  reconciliation 
which  he  was  commissioned  to  announce  to  others,  and 
which  was  to  himself,  from  the  hour  in  which  he  first  re- 
ceived it  "  in  truth  "  to  the  last  moment  of  his  existence, 
the  source  of  inward  peace,  the  principle  of  ardent  grati- 
tude and  love,  and  the  motive  to  self-denying  and  devoted, 
yet  spontaneous  and  delightful,  obedience.  Though  few, 
perhaps,  could  have  less  to  deplore  as  to  any  positive  and 
wilful  deviations  from  the  path  of  moral  rectitude  and 
virtue,  few  of  those  who  have  been  conscious  that  they 
had  "  much  to  be  forgiven,"  have  evinced  a  more  broken 
and  contrite  spirit,  or  have  "loved  more,"  than  the  hum- 
ble and  gratefully  devoted  subject  of  these  memoirs. 

Humility,  springing,  as  it  did  in  Swartz,  from  a  deep 
conviction  of  the  depravity  of  human  nature,  and  of  his 
own  immeasurable  distance,  even  after  his  highest  attain- 
ments, from  the  demands  of  the  perfect  law  of  God,  was, 
indeed,  one  of  the  distinguishing  features  of  his  character, 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  397 

as  it  was  the  foundation  of  his  security  amidst  many  sur- 
rounding dangers,  and  one  of  tlie  most  efficient  causes  of 
his  excellence  and  his  happiness.  He  was  "  clothed  with 
humility." 

Combined  with  this  peculiarly  Christian  principle,  was 
that  sincrular  and  transparent  simplicity,  which  so  power- 
fully recommended  him  to  men  of  every  rank  and  every 
religion,  and  which"  was  the  grand  secret  of  his  unpar- 
alleled influence  and  success.     Under  any  circumstances, 
Swartz  would  have  been  a  man  of  integrity,  and  of  frank 
and  open  manners;  but  it  was  his  piety  which  produced 
in  him  that  "  freedom  from  guile,"  of  which  the  Hebrew 
psalmist   speaks,    and    which    was    characteristic    of  the 
Saviour  himself,  and  of  one  of  his  earliest  disciples,  and 
that  "  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  "  which  St.  Paul  de- 
clares  was  one   of  the  sources  of  his  own   elevated  joy. 
To   him,  as   to   that  holy  apostle,  "  to  live  was  Christ." 
Separate  from   the  attainment  of  his  personal   salvation, 
and  from  the  daily  and  hourly  endeavor  to  promote  that 
of  others,  from  the  exhibition  of  Christian  doctrine  and 
the   exemplification   of  Christian   precepts,    from  the   en- 
largement of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  the  pursuit  of 
his  glory,    he    had   no   object,   no   happiness,    no   desire. 
Never  did  any  uninspired  man  discover  more  perfect  sim- 
plicity of  purpose,  and  more  patient  and  persevering  labor 
in  accomplishing  it.     Except,  therefore,  as  connected  with 
the  one  grand  business  of  his  life,  all  persons,  places,  and 
circumstances,    were    to    him    comparatively    indifferent. 
To  him,  mere  worldly  pleasure  presented  no  charms,  the 
opportunity  of  gain  no  temptation,  the  pursuits  of  ambition 
no  attraction.     To  all  such  allurements  he  was  habitually 
and  invariably  insensible.     He  passed  unhurt  amidst  them 
all:  and  attained,  as  we  have  already  seen,  the  rare  dis- 
tinction of  the  most  unequivocal  testimonies   to  his  pos- 
session of  the  purest  and  most  disinterested  virtue.     Can 
we  wonder,  that  one  so  pious,  humble,  upright,  and  sin- 
cere, should  excite  the  veneration,  and  conciliate  the  con- 
fidence of  all  around  him;  that  Hindoo  princes,  observant 
and  acute,  should  cultivate  his  friendship,  invite  his  coun- 
sel, and  invoke  his  protection;  that  Mohammedan  tyrants, 
subtle   and   suspicious,   should   respect   his   integrity  and 
accept  his  mediation  ;  that  European  governors  and  offi- 
cers, civil  and  military,  should  intrust  to  him  the  most 
34 


398  MEMOIRS   OF 

important  concerns,  and  co-operate  with  him  in  all  his 
plans ;  that  by  the  great  body  of  the  people  of  every  class, 
he  should  be  revered,  idolized,  and  obeyed? 

"  Of  Swartz,"  said  Bishop  Heber,*  "  and  his  fifty  years 
labor  among  the  heathen,  the  extraordinary  influence  and 
popularity   which    he    acquired,   both    with    Mussulmans, 
Hindoos,  and  contending  European  governments,  I  need 
give  you  no  account,  except  that  my  idea  of  him  has  been 
raised  since  I  came   into  the  south  of  India.     I  used  to 
suspect,   that,  with   many  admirable  qualities,  there   was 
too  great  a  mixture  of  intrigue  in  his  character  ;  that  he 
was  too  much  of  a  political  prophet,  and  that  the  venera- 
tion which  the  heathen  paid  and  still  pay  him,  and  which 
indeed  almost  regards  him    as   a  superior  being,  putting 
crowns  and  burning  lights  before  his  statue,  was  purchased 
by  some  unwarrantable  compromise  with  their  prejudices. 
I  find  I  was  quite  mistaken.     He  was  really  one  of  the 
most  active  and  fearless,  as  he  was  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful missionaries  who  have  appeared  since  the  apostles. 
To  say  that  he   was  disinterested  in  regard  to  money,  is 
nothing  ;    he  was  perfectly  regardless  of  power,  and  re- 
nown never  seemed  to  affect  him,  even  so  far  as  to  induce 
an  outward  show  of  humility.     His  temper  was  perfectly 
simple,  open,  and  cheerful ;    and  in  his  political  negotia- 
tions, (employments  which  he  never  sought  for,  but  which 
fell  in  his  way,)  he  never  pretended  to   impartiality,  but 
acted  as  the  avowed,  though  certainly  the  successful  and 
judicious  agent  of  the  orphan  prince  intrusted  to  his  care, 
and  from  attempting  whose  conversion  to  Christianity  he 
seems  to  have  abstained  from  a  feeling  of  honor. t     His 
other  converts  were  between  six  and  seven  thousand,  be- 
sides those  which  his  predecessors  and  companions  in  the 
cause  had  brought  over." 

Such  was  the  testimony  of  Bishop  Heber,  when  writing 
from  Trichinopoly,  immediately  after  his  most  interesting 
and  memorable  visit  to  Tanjore,  and  within  three  days  of 
his  own  unexpected  and  lamented  removal  from  the  world,. 
There  he  had  witnessed  with  almost  overwhelming  delight, 
the  success  of  Swartz's  labors,  and  had  pronounced  the 
episcopal  blessing  in  their  own  language  upon  more  than 


*  Journal,  vol.  ii.  p.  461. 

t  This  remark  is  to  be  corrected  by  a  reference  to  p.  383. — Am.  Ed. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  30^ 

thirteen  hundred  native  Christians,  assembled  in  one  of 
his  mission  churches  ;  and  there,  while  standing  on  the 
grave  of  that  apostolic  man,  he  addressed  both  the  mis- 
sionaries and  the  people  in  a  solemn  and  afTecting  charge, 
the  deep  impression  of  which  can  never,  surely,  be  effaced 
from  their  remembrance,  commending  them  to  God,  and 
to  the  word  of  his  grace,  and  animating  them  by  the 
memory  of  their  departed  father,  to  perseverance,  fidelity, 
and  Christian  order. 

If,  as  the  messenger  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  "  the  law  of 
truth  was  in  his  mouth,"  as  the  minister  of  the  Prince  of 
peace,  the  law  of  kindness  which  was  in  his  heart  prompt- 
ed him  upon  every  occasion  to  "  speak  the  truth  in  love." 
Though  "  his  spirit,"  like  that  of  the  apostle,  **  was  stirred 
within  him"  while  he  beheld  the  surrounding  idolatry,  he 
inveighed  not  against  it  in  terms  of  bitterness  and  reproach, 
but  testified  against  its  guilt  and  folly,  "even  weeping," 
and  invited  its  wretched  votaries,  in  the  tender  language 
of  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son,  to  arise  and  return  to 
their  heavenly  Father.  Calm  and  dispassionate,  he  detect- 
ed the  sophistry  of  the  brahmin,  and  refuted  the  cavils  of 
the  Mohammedan,  by  that  perfect  acquaintance  with  the 
doctrines  and  errors  of  both,  which  he  had  happily  ac- 
quired by  the  labor  and  the  study  of  his  early  years,*  and 
feared  not,  in  the  presence  of  princes  and  governors,  to 
enforce  the  principles  and  precepts  of  the  gospel  in  all 
their  genuine  simplicity  and  truth. 

The  only  tract  in  Tamul  which  he  ever  published,  is 
Btill  extensively  circulated  in  the  south  of  India,  and  in 
Ceylon  ;  and  "  when  we  read,"  says  one  of  the  native 
catechists  in  Tinnevelly,  "  our  late  father  Swartz's  dia- 
logues between  a  Christian  and  a  heathen,  we  are  con- 
strained to  say,  that  he  still  lives  to  teach  the  present,  yea, 
succeeding  generations." 

The  preaching,  however,  and  the  instruction  of  Swartz, 
were  not,  as  we  have  already  seen,  "  with  excellency  of 
speech,"  or  of  man's  *'  wisdom."  He  determined,  like 
the  great  apostle,  "  to  know  nothing,"  whether  among 
Hindoos  or  Europeans,  "  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  cru- 
cified." This  divine  and  all  important  topic,  not  stated 
barely  or  abstractedly  as  a  point  of  doctrine,  but  displayed 

*  See  page  97. 


400  MEMOIRS   OF 

in  all  its  causes,  connections  and  consequences,  as  the 
remedy  for  the  guilt  and  the  prevalence  of  sin,  with  apos- 
tolic "  uncorruptness,  gravity,  and  sincerity,  and  with 
sound  sf>eech,  which  could  not  be  condemned,"  convinced 
and  impressed  multitudes  of  his  hearers,  and  proved  to 
many  of  them  "  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation."  His 
patience  also,  in  teaching  both  adults  and  children,  his 
anxiety  not  to  swell,  like  Xavier,  and  other  Romish  mis- 
sionaries, the  mere  numbers  of  his  converts,  but  to  render 
them  intelligent,  humble,  practical  Christians,  and  his 
entire  freedom  from  all  ostentation  or  exaggeration  in  the 
periodical  reports  of  his  proceedings,  are  particularly  de- 
serving of  commendation. 

Among  the  qualities  which  tended  materially  to  accredit 
and  recommend  him  as  a  missionary,  was  that  sweetness 
of  disposition,  and  that  cordiality  and  kindness  of  address 
which,  springing  "  out  of  a  pure  heart,  and  of  a  good  con- 
science, and  of  faith  unfeigned,"  shed  an  aspect  of  benig- 
nity and  cheerfulness  over  his  countenance,  and  added  a 
charm  to  his  very  appearance,  and  persuasion  to  his  lips. 
He  was  at  peace  with  God,  and  his  heart  was  habitually 
animated  by  that  love  to  him,  which  irresistibly  expanded 
in  love  to  his  brother  also.  In  him  was  remarkably  exem- 
plified the  beautiful  observation  of  Lord  Bacon  ;  "  Cer- 
tainly it  is  heaven  upon  earth  to  have  a  man's  mind  move 
in  charity,  rest  in  Providence,  and  turn  upon  the  poles  of 
truth." 

Those  who  knew  him  personally,  unanimously  agree, 
that  it  was  impossible  to  converse  with  Swartz  without 
being  convinced  of  the  identity  of  true  piety  and  real 
happiness.  Though,  like  the  aged  patriarch,  at  the  close 
of  life,  amidst  the  pressure  of  disease  and  pain,  and  in  the 
anticipation  of  eternity,  he  might  be  allowed  to  call  the 
present  a  "  sorrowful  world,"  few,  perhaps,  ever  passed 
through  it  with  nobler  or  purer  enjoyment.  He  was 
equally  welcome  and  equally  happy,  at  the  palace  and  the 
cottage,  amidst  the  councils  of  princes,  and  the  instruction 
and  conversation  of  the  poor.  His  well  informed  and 
liberal  mind,  and  cheerful,  unaffected  manners,  rendered 
him  an  acceptable  guest  at  the  table  of  the  military  com- 
mander, and  in  the  houses  of  the  civil  servants  of  the  East 
India  Company  ;  and  whether  among  the  rich  or  the  poor, 
his  one  great  object  was  ever  kept  in  view,  of  promoting 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  401 

the  honor  of  his  heavenly  Master,  and  the  present  and 
future  welfare  of  mankind.  Well  had  he  studied,  and 
eminently  did  he  illustrate,  St.  Paul's  eloquent  description 
of  the  ministerial  character,  "Giving  no  offence  in  any 
thing,  that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed  ;  but  in  all  things 
approving  ourselves  as  the  ministers  of  God ;  in  much 
patience,  in  afflictions,  in  necessities,  in  distresses,  in  labors, 
in  watchings,  in  fastings  ;  by  pureness,  by  knowledge,  by 
long-suffering,  by  kindness,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  love 
unfeigned,  by  the  word  of  truth,  by  the  power  of  God,  by 
the  armor  of  righteousness  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the 
left;  by  honor  and  dishonor,  by  evil  report  and  good 
report;  as  deceivers  and  yet  true;  as  unknown,  and  yet 
well  known  ;  as  dying,  and  behold  we  live  ;  as  chastened, 
and  not  killed  ;  as  sorrowful,  yet  alway  rejoicing  ;  as  poor, 
yet  making  many  rich  ;  as  having  nothing,  and  yet  pos- 
sessing all  things." 

Of  the  beneficence  and  charity  of  Swartz  it  is  difficult 
to  speak  in  terms  of  adequate  praise.  From  the  com- 
mencement to  the  completion  of  his  missionary  course,  he 
realized  the  beautiful,  and  only  traditionary  aphorism  of 
our  Saviour,  that  "  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive." With  his  brethren  and  associates  he  divided  one 
portion  of  his  allowances  from  government,  expended 
another  in  the  erection  of  churches  and  schools,  and  with 
a  third  maintained  catechists  and  teachers.  He  not  only 
visited  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction,  but 
during  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  the  education  and  sup- 
port of  orphans  formed  one  of  the  principal  and  most  de- 
lightful objects  of  his  daily  attention  and  employment. 
Such  was  his  paternal  affection  for  the  poor  and  destitute, 
that  on  discovering  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  benevolent 
establishment  for  orphans  at  Seringapatam,  he  could  not 
help  indulging  a  glow  of  kindly  feeling  even  towards 
Hyder  Ali  himself.  We  have  seen,  too,  notwithstanding 
the  generous  expenditure  of  his  whole  life,  that  by  hus- 
banding his  resources,  he  proved  a  permanent  benefactor 
at  his  death  to  the  sacred  cause  to  which  he  had  been  so 
simply,  yet  so  energetically  devoted. 

It  will  readily  be  iinagined,  that,  without  assuming  any 

undue  authority,  the  influence  of  this  eminent  man  with 

his  coadjutors,  and  with  the  native  teachers  and  converts, 

was   commanding    and    supreme.      He   was,    upon   the 

34* 


402  MEMOIRS   OF 

soundest  principles  of  reason  and  Scripture,  a  lover  of 
order,  regularity,  and  just  obedience.  When,  a  few  years 
after  his  death,  on  the  proposal  by  his  successors  of  some 
new  regulations  to  which  some  objections  were  made  by 
the  native  Christians  on  the  ground  that  while  Mr.  Swartz 
was  with  them  no  such  rules  had  existed,  the  missionaries 
replied,  that  "during  their  revered  father's  lifetime,  his 
presence  and  his  word  had  been  instead  of  all  regula- 
tions;" and  at  a  later  period.  Christian  David,  the  son 
of  the  pious  Sattianaden,  observed,  that  "  Swartz  gave 
good  advice  to  the  native  priests,  catechists,  schoolmasters, 
pupils,  and  converts,  and  composed  all  their  differences 
with  apostolic  discretion  and  love." 

The  talents  and  acquirements  of  a  man  so  highly 
honored  and  so  eminently  and  extensively  useful,  could 
be  of  no  ordinary  and  limited  kind.  His  natural  endow- 
ments were,  however,  by  no  means  brilliant  or  coojrnand- 
ing.  A  sound  judgment,  calm  and  steady  energy,  great 
acuteness  and  sagacity  in  the  discernment  of  character, 
and  in  the  conduct  of  important  affairs,  resolution  and  per- 
severance in  the  execution  of  plans  deliberately  formed, 
were  their  principal  characteristics.  Though  not  pro- 
foundly learned,  in  addition  to  the  knowledge  of  classical 
literature  which  he  acquired  in  Germany,  he  was  a  good 
Hebrew  scholar,*  and  a  master  of  the  Tamul  and  Persian, 
the  Hindoostanee,  the  Mahratta,  and  the  Indo-Portuguese 
tongues.  These  were  all  which  were  practically  useful 
in  the  position  which  he  occupied  in  India.  The  stores 
of  Sanscrit  learning  would  otherwise  have  been  objects 
of  his  research.  The  correctness  and  ease  with  which  he 
wrote  and  spoke  the  English  language  were  remarkable. 
From  the  period  of  his  settlement  at  Trichinopoly,  he 
was  indeed,  closely  connected  and  identified  with  English 
society,  habits,  and  manners.  He  was  warmly  and  loyally 
attached  to  the  British  government  and  interests  in  India, 
anxious  only  for  the  correction  of  abuses,  and  the  render- 
ing of  our  growing  ascendancy  and  power  subservient  to 
the  moral  and  religious,  as  well  as  civil  and  political, 
welfare  of  the  natives  of  the  vast  empire  so  wonderfully 
submitted    to  our  control.       His  cultivation   of   English 

*  Dr.  Buchanan  mentions  that  he  found  at  Tanjore  some  S_yriao 
tracts,  translated  by  Mr.  Swartz  from  the  German. 


THE   REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  403 

literature,  though  in  some  degree  general,  was  chiefly 
confined,  as  might  be  expected,  to  our  theological  writers. 

If  to  these  intellectual  endowments  and  attainments,  be 
added  that  entire  freedom  from  every  selfish  and  personal 
consideration,  whether  of  wealth,  fame,  or  power,  that 
perfect  disinterestedness  and  integrity,  which  the  united 
voice  of  friends  and  enemies,  of  contemporaries  and  suc- 
ceeding inquirers  has  so  unequivocally  and  so  justly 
ascribed  to  him,  it  cannot  be  a  subject  of  surprise,  that 
he  should  subdue  the  prejudices  and  win  the  hearts  of  all 
around  him  ;  and  that  without  the  slightest  wish  to  be 
thus  employed,  his  interposition  and  assistance  should, 
upon  various  occasions,  have  been  solicited  and  courted 
in  affairs  of  civil  and  political  importance,  in  every  one 
of  which  the  result  was  equally  honorable  to  the  upright- 
ness of  his  principles,  and  the  ability  of  his  conduct. 
"The  spirit  of  power  and  of  love,  and  of  a  sound  mind," 
was  in  this,  as  well  as  in  every  other  part  of  his  character, 
conspicuous  and  predominant,  and  tended  at  once  to  give 
him  favor,  and  to  render  him  acceptable  both  with  God 
and  with  men. 

The  personal  habits  of  this  extraordinary  man  have  been 
already  sufficiently  apparent.  Simplicity,  moderation,  self- 
denial,  activity,  regufarity,  patience,  kindness,  courtesy, 
cheerfulness,  pervaded  his  every  thought,  word,  and  action. 
He  was  engaged  in  a  multiplicity  of  atT.iirs,  civil  and 
political,  as  well  as  religious;  wrote,  and  for  many  years 
corresponded  much,  both  on  matters  of  public  business 
and  of  private  friendship;  but  such  was  his  vigor  and  such 
his  habits  of  application  and  despatch,  that  he  was  never 
hurried  or  overwhelmed.  His  favorite  recreation  seems  to 
have  been  in  the  intercourse  of  Christian  friendship,  and 
in  the  exercise  of  Christian  psalmody,  the  laste  for  which 
he  acquired  in  his  youth,  and  the  melody  of  which  soothed 
his  departing  hours. 

How  frequently  the  repose  of  the  night  was  interrupted 
by  the  necessary  occupations  of  business,  or  the  more 
sacred  duties  of  devotion,  we  have  before  had  occasion  to 
observe  ;  and  when,  a  few  years  after  his  departure,  Dr. 
Buchanan  visited  Tanjore,  he  was  told  that  Swartz  seldom 
preached  to  the  natives  without  previous  study,  and  that 
he  continued  a  diligent  student  to  the  last, — thus  proving, 
■  by  his  powerful  example,  what  is  also  eminently  illustrated 


404  MEMOIRS   OF 

by  that  of  Marty n,  that  though  human  learning  or  knowl- 
edge is  not  to  supersede  that  which  is  divine,  or  the  medi- 
tations of  the  student  to  preclude  a  humble  dependence 
on  the  teachins  which  is  from  above,  they  are,  at  the  same 
time,  the  best  companions  and  auxiliaries  of  missionary 
piety,  and  missionarv  labor  and  success. 

It  is  remarkable,  considering  the  length  of  his  career, 
and  the  variety,  and  frequently  the  difficulty  and  delicacy, 
of  his  eugagements,  that  the  testimonies  to  the  character 
and  conduct  of  Swartz  should  be  concurrent  and  unani- 
mous :  that,  with  the  single  exception  of  his  supposed 
tendency  to  political  interference,  which  has  been  so 
perfectly  refuted,  there  should  be  absolutely  no  discordant 
voice  ;  thai  all,  however  ditTerinff  on  other  points,  should 
agree  in  admiring  and  revering  him.  It  was  not  that  his 
principles  and  his  proceedings  were  universally  approved  ; 
for  many,  doubtless,  both  Hindoos  and  Europeans,  from 
unbelief  or  mere  nominal  Christianity,  thought  both  the 
one  and  the  other  mistaken,  visionary,  and  extreme  ;  while 
others  might  perhaps  have  been  inclined  to  interrupt  or 
oppose  him  in  his  plans  and  labors.  But  such  was  his 
wisdom,  his  prudence,  his  blamelessness,  his  sanctity,  his 
acknowledged  usefulness  and  beneficence,  that  prejudice 
was  disarmed,  malice  was  defeated,  enmity,  if  at  any  time 
it  existed,  was  subdued.  Those  who  would  willingly  have 
blamed,  found  no  just  ground  of  complaint  against  hira, 
and  those  "  who  were  of  the  contrary  part  »vere  ashamed, 
having  no  evil  thing  to  say  of  him." 

It  is  still  more  extraordinary  that,  whether  during  the 
extended  course  of  his  ministry,  or  durinsf  the  long  inter- 
val of  years  which  have  elapsed  since  his  departure  to  a 
higher  world,  no  one,  whatever  might  be  his  dispositions, 
relations,  or  opportunities,  has  ever  asserted  or  insinuated 
any  thing  injurious  or  depreciating  respecting  the  char- 
acter or  memory  of  this  admirable  man.  It  is  not  in- 
tended to  be  affirmed  that  he  was  faultless.  The  sins  and 
imperfections  of  the  holiest  "of  the  sons  of  men,  and  his 
own  singular  humility,  and  unaffected  acknowledgments, 
sufficiently  preclude  so  arrogant  and  inconsistent  a  claim. 

It  is,  however,  undoubtedly  true,  that,  whatever  may 
have  been  the  failings  and  infirmities  of  Swartz,  they  were 
known  only  to  himself  and  to  God.  By  his  fellow-mortals 
they  have  not  only  never  been  proclaimed,  but  never  even 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  405 

conjectured.  He  was  like  the  patriarch  of  old,  "  perfect 
and  upright  in  his  generation,"  and,  so  far  as  the  observa- 
tion and  scrutiny  of  man  extended,  exemplary  and  blame- 
less. To  what  ever  degree  this  peculiar  excellence  really 
belonged  to  him,  he  owed  it,  as  he  would  gratefully  have 
acknowledged,  to  the  principles  and  motives  of  the  gospel, 
and  to  that  grace  of  God  which  had  made  him  what  he 
was,  by  which  he  ennobled  the  name  of  missionary,  and 
displayed  in  these  later  days  the  virtues  of  the  apostolic 
age.  But  he  has  long  since  quitted  a  state  of  being  from 
which  imperfection  is  inseparable,  and  has  joined  the 
assembly  of  the  "just  made  perfect,"  where,  clothed  with 
that  robe  of  righteousness  to  which  by  faith  in  his  Re- 
deemer he  alone  trusted  for  acceptance,  he  has  been 
"  presented  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with 
exceeding  joy." 

The  character  and  example  of  Swartz  have  been  justly 
exhibited  as  a  model  to  protestant  missionaries  of  every 
class  during  more  than  half  a  century.     "  The  bishop," 
observes  the  biographer  of  a  late  Oriental  Prelate,*  "used 
to  say  at  his  table  at  Calcutta,  that  he  wished  a  copy  of 
the  memoirs  of  Swartz  might  be  placed  in  the  hands  of 
every  student  at  Bishop's  College,  and  every  missionary 
throughout  the  diocese."     The  p>eculiar  nature  of  his  ex- 
ample renders  it  eminently  worthy  of  such  a  recommenda- 
tion.    It  is  not  that  of  one  whose  talents  or  acquirements 
were  so  exalted  and  extensive  as  to  dazzle  and  confound 
the  beholders,  and,  by   its  immense  superiority,  or  unat- 
tainable   excellence,   to  preclude  all   hope  of  successful 
imitation.     It  is,  as  we  have  already  observed,  that  of  a 
man  of  solid,  but  not  in  themselves  and  separately  con- 
sidered, of    uncommon    endowments ;    though,    in    their 
proportion,  combination,   and    harmony,   it  must    be  ad- 
mitted, not  often   witnessed  or  possessed.     Sound,  how- 
ever, and  valuable  as  his  intellectual  powers  and  acquisi- 
tions were,  his  moral  and  religious  qualities  were  those 
which   chiefly  distinguished  him  ;  which  gave  force  and 
energy  to  his  character,  which  conciliated  the  esteem,  and 
secured  the  confidence  of  all,  and  which  have  rendered 
his  name  illustrious,  and  his  memory,  as  well  as  his  labors, 
so  inestimable  a  blessing  to  the  church  and  to  the  world. 

*  Biief  Memoirs,  by  the  Rev.  Edward  James,  p.  103. 


406  MEMOIRS  OF 

It  was  the  triumph  of  principles  and  of  conduct  purely 
and  eminently  Christian,  of  that  singleness  of  eye  and 
simplicity  of  purpose,  which  at  first  carried  him  willingly 
and  with  his  whole  heart  to  India,  of  that  faith,  hope,  and 
love,  which,  placing  full  before  him  "  the  prize  of  his 
high  calling,"  the  "  crown  of  righteousness,"  the  "  crown 
of  life,"  and  strengthening,  animating,  and  constraining 
him,  led  to  that  "  patient  continuance  in  well  doing," 
whether  in  the  humbler  or  more  elevated  departments  of 
his  duty,  which  at  length  conducted  him  to  '•  glory,  and 
honor,  and  immortality." 

And  let  not  any  one  imagine,  that  this  is  a  course 
which,  though  easily  described,  may  be  easily  exemplified 
and  pursued.  The  grace  which  originated  so  holy  and 
self-denying  a  purpose,  as  that  of  abandoning  the  ties  of 
kindred  and  of  country,  and  of  crossing  distant  seas,  and 
sojourning  in  strange,  and  partially  civilized  regions,  of 
acquiring  difficult,  and,  in  any  other  view,  for  the  most 
part  uninteresting  languages,  and  of  associating  with  those 
whose  errors,  superstitions,  and  vices  could  not  but  be 
peculiarly  painful  and  revolting  to  a  religious  mind,  is 
widely  different  from  that  which  may  legitimately  lead  to 
a  dedication  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  in  a  native  and 
a  Christian  land;  while  the  grace  which,  amidst  incessant 
toil,  frequently  amidst  discouragement  and  disappointment, 
not  seldom  under  the  pressure  of  infirmity,  and  amidst  the 
prevalence  and  the  danger  of  surrounding  disease  and 
death,  and,  what  is  more  than  all,  amidst  perpetual  tempta- 
tions to  the  indulgence  of  cupidity  and  earthly  gratifica- 
tion, must  be  allowed,  by  all  who  are  competent  to  form  a 
correct  judgment  upon  the  subject,  to  be  equally  rare  and 
exclusively  Christian,  to  be  the  result  only  of  the  closest 
and  most  uninterrupted  communion  with  God  ;  of  unre- 
mitting watchfulness  and  self-conirol  ;  of  habitual  and 
unbroken  meditation  upon  the  inspired  sources  of  wisdom 
and  consolation,  and  of  fervent  and  persevering  prayer. 
Yet  such  was  the  course  which  the  grace  of  God  originally 
inspired  in  the  breast  of  the  subject  of  these  memoirs, 
and  which  it  continued  uninterruptedly  to  cherish,  and,  at 
the  close  of  fifty  years,  crowned  with  unexampled  success 
and  honor. 

Of  the  extent  to  which  his  character  and  his  services 
were  held  in  admiration  and  reverence,  the  pious  mis- 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  407 

sionary  himself  was  utterly  and  unaffectedly  unconscious. 
Neither  in  his  public  nor  in  his  private  correspondence, 
can  the  slightest  trace  be  discerned  of  any  feeling  of  self- 
complacency.  His  history  affords  a  striking  and  encour- 
aging illustration  of  the  truth  of  that  general  principle  of 
the  conduct  of  Almighty  God  towards  mankind, — "  Thera 
that  honor  me  I  will  honor  ; "  and  of  that  corresponding 
declaration  of  our  Lord  and  Master, — "  If  any  man  serve 
me,  him  will  my  Father  honor."  It  was  verified  in  the 
respect  and  confidence  which  his  name  inspired,  both  in 
India  and  in  Europe,  in  the  esteem  and  affection  of  the 
wise  and  good,  in  the  signal  blessing  which  accompanied 
his  labors,  and  in  the  veneration  with  which  his  memory 
is  every  where  cherished. 

Honored,  however,  as  he  was,  both  in  his  life  and  in 
his  death,  he  was  still  in  this  world,  to  adopt  the  beautiful 
language  of  the  son  of  Sirach,  "  like  the  morning  star  in 
the  midst  of  a  cloud,"  which  intercepted,  and  partially 
obscured  his  rays,  and  deprived  him  at  once  of  his  native 
lustre,  and  of  his  unimpeded  influence  and  power.  But 
he  kindled  in  the  south  of  India  a  light  which  has  been 
continually  growing  brighter  and  stronger,  and  is  hasten- 
ing, as  we  devoutly  trust,  to  a  more  complete  and  "perfect 
day  ;  "  while  he  is  already,  to  the  eye  of  faith,  exalted 
"among  the  children  of  God,"  above  the  brightness  of  all 
earthly  glory,  and  shall  ere  long  "  shine  forth  like  the 
sun,"  in  full  and  unclouded  splendor,  "  in  the  kingdom 
of  their  Father." 


408  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

Some  account  of  the  state  of  the  Mission  since  the  death  of  Swarta. 

Compiled  by  the  American  Editor. 

SwARTZ  left  behind  him  several  coadjutors,  by  whose 
zealous  exertions  the  cause  of  Christianity  continued  to 
flourish.  The  senior  of  these,  was  the  excellent  Gericke, 
who,  though  statedly  resident  at  Vepery,  near  Madras, 
occasionally  assisted  Mr.  Kohlhoff,  the  successor  of  Swartz 
at  Tanjore,  and  particularly  co-operated  with  the  indefati- 
gable JcEnicke,  in  the  south  of  the  peninsula.  Jcenicke 
died  in  the  early  part  of  1800.  He  was  a  great  blessing 
to  the  congregation  and  school  at  Tanjore,  and  an  im- 
portant instrument  of  the  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  in  the  countries  of  the  south,  where  he  erected 
several  churches,  established  scliools,  and,  in  various  ways, 
promoted  the  kingdom  of  his  Master. 

In  the  following  year,  Mr.  Gericke  reported  the  gratify- 
ing intelligence  that  some  new  congregations  had  recently 
sprung  up  in  the  south  ;  that  at  Dindegal  and  Madura, 
chapels  were  building ;  and  that  he  had  determined  to 
employ  Sattianaden,  as  an  itinerant  teacher,  at  these  and 
other  places.  At  Kandagadi,  Adanjour,  and  Leratoor, 
many  were  converted  to  the  faith,  and  chapels  were  erected 
for  divine  worship.  The  majority  of  these  new  members 
were  of  the  collary-caste,  who  had  been  noted  robbers.  A 
new  school-house  was  also  opened  at  Tanjore,  capable  of 
accommodating  above  a  thousand  children,  in  wliich  the 
English,  the  provincial,  and  the  Tamul  schools  were  col- 
lected together. 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  409 

Early  in  1803,  Mr.  Gericke  travelled  through  the  My- 
sore, and  from  thence  to  Palamcotta,  and  nearly  to  the 
extremity  of  the  peninsula.  He  found  the  people  very 
eager  for  instruction.  Many  of  the  natives  had  broken 
their  idols,  and  buried  them  in  the  ground.  In  the  course 
of  this  journey,  more  than  1,300  persons  were  baptized. 
After  his  departure,  the  native  teachers  formed  18  new 
congregations,  and  instructed  and  baptized  2,700  people, 
so  that  the  number  of  the  converts  did  not  fall  short  of 
4,000.  Considerable  persecution  was  excited  in  conse- 
quence. It  was  silenced  at  length  by  the  interference  of 
the  collector  of  the  district.  In  connection  with  the  ex- 
traordinary number  of  persons  admitted  to  the  church  by 
Gericke,  it  should  be  recollected  that  various  means  of 
grace  had  been  in  active  operation  for  many  years  in  the 
southern  districts,  under  the  direction  of  Swartz,  Joenicke, 
and  Sattianaden.  Fervent  prayers  had  also  been  long 
offered  for  the  divine  blessing. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  the  south,  Mr.  Gericke  was 
attacked  by  a  fever,  of  which  he  died  at  Vellore,  Oct.  12, 
1803,  in  the  62d  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  38th  of  his 
labors  as  a  missionary  to  India.  He  had  been  greatly 
afflicted  in  his  domestic  relations,  having  lost  a  daughter 
and  an  only  son,  whom  he  greatly  and  deservedly  loved. 
His  character  was  mild,  meek,  and  humble.  His  con- 
versation was  very  agreeable  from  the  stores  of  information 
which  he  had  accumulated.  The  simplicity  and  integrity 
of  his  character  had  obtained  for  him  the  title  of  "  the 
primitive  Christian."  His  readiness  and  diligence  in 
doing  good  were  unwearied,  and  his  charities  were  munifi- 
cent. In  1800,  he  rebuilt  the  church  at  Cuddalore,  out 
of  his  own  funds,  and  at  his  death,  besides  a  provision  for 
the  Christian  poor  at  Negapatam,  he  left  to  the  Vepery 
mission  about  six  thousand  pounds  sterling,  together  with 
the  reversion  of  another  considerable  sum  and  a  large 
house  on  the  demise  of  his  widow.  He  was,  in  short, 
only  inferior  in  piety  and  benevolence  to  Swartz  himself 

Upon  Mr.  KohlhofFnow  devolved,  in  addition  to  the  ex- 
tensive Tanjore  mission,  and  the  care  of  the  numerous 
congregations  between  Palamcotta  and  Cape  Comorin,  the 
chaplaincy  of  the  new  English  garrison  at  Tanjore.  Mr. 
Csemerer  of  Tranquebar  and  the  catechists  were  the  only 
assistance  which  could  be  for  some  time  procured.  Re- 
35 


410  MEMOIRS  OF 

peated  applications  jpr  new  missionaries  were  made  at 
Halle  in  vain.  The  venerable  professor  Schultz  of  the 
orphan  house  had  rested  from  his  labors.  In  1806,  Mr. 
Christopher  Horst,  a  German  student,  who  had  assisted 
Mr.  Qericke,  was  ordained,  and  appointed  to  the  Tanjore 
mission.  He  died  in  1810,  to  the  great  regret  of  all  the 
friends  of  the  mission.  His  extensive  learning,  amiable 
disposition,  and  uncommon  attention  to  business,  had 
afforded  the  most  sanguine  hopes  of  his  proving  a  great 
blessing  to  the  mission. 

A  short  time  previously  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Horst, 
Dr.  Buchanan  visited  Trichinopoly  and  Tanjore  on  his 
way  to  Madras.  This  ardent  and  munificent  friend  of 
the  missionary  cause,  contemplated  with  great  delight, 
the  scene  of  Swartz's  labors,  while  he  witnessed  the 
numbers  and  apparent  hap[)iness  of  the  native  converts, 
the  piety,  zeal,  and  learning  of  Kohlhoflf,  Horst,  PohJe 
and  John,  and  the  simple  eloquence  of  the  aged  Sattian- 
aden.  Wherever  he  travelled,  this  eminent  man  left 
behind  him  the  traces  of  his  Christian  beneficence.  In 
1805,  Dr.  Buchanan's  Memoir  on  the  Expediency  of  an 
Ecclesiastical  Establishment  for  British  India,  was  pub- 
lished in  England.  On  the  renewal  of  the  charter  of  the 
East  India  Company  in  1812,  a  provision  was  made  for 
the  establishment  of  the  bishopric  of  Calcutta,  and  of  an 
archdeaconry  at  each  of  the  three  presidencies.  In  con- 
sequence of  these  efforts,  a  number  of  churches  have  been 
erected,  schools  built  and  endowed,  and  the  Bishop's 
college  for  training  native  youth,  established  at  Calcutta. 
A  bishopric  has  lately  been  erected  for  Madras. 

The  mission  at  Tranquebar  has  been,  for  some  time, 
gradually  verging  towards  decay.  At  Trichinopoly,  Mr. 
Pohle  inaintaiiied  the  original  foundation  of  Swartz,  and 
labored  faithfully  till  1818,  though  he  never  added  greatly 
to  the  nuni!)ers  of  the  congregation.  But  at  Tanjore, 
and  in  the  surrounding  country,  and  in  Tinnovelly,  and 
sontliward  towards  Cape  Comorin,  the  more  extensive 
field  planted  by  Swartz,  and  during  more  than  twenty 
years  cultivated  by  his  labors,  and  by  those  of  Gericke, 
Jcenicke,  and  Kf)hIhofr,  nnd  more  recently  by  the  valuable 
assistance  of  Sherschneider,  Ilaubroe,  and  Rosen,  the 
triumphs  of  the  gospel  have  been  progressive  and  de- 
lightful.    In  whatever  part  of  Southern  India  inquiry  has 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  411 

been  made  as  to  the  existence  of  native  protestant  Chris- 
tians, some  of  the  converts  of  Svvartz  and  Gericke  have 
been  discovered,  thus  sl)o\ving  the  beneticial  influence  of 
the  early  missions.  About  the  year  1817,  the  number 
of  protestant  Christians  in  the  district  of  Tinnevelly 
amounted  to  about  4,000,  scattered  through  63  villages. 
"The  number  of  converts,"  says  bishop  lleber,  writing 
from  Trichinopoly  in  182C,  "is  gradually  increasing;  and 
there  are  in  the  south  of  India,  about  "200  protestant  con- 
gregations, the  numbers  of  which  have  been  vaguely 
stated  at  40,000.  I  doubt  whether  they  reach  15,000; 
but  even  this,  all  things  considered,  is  a  great  number." 
The  calculation  of  bishop  Heber  is  thought  to  be  below 
the  real  amount.  The  number  of  native  Christians  on 
the  coast  of  Coromandel,  and  in  the  southern  districts  of 
the  peninsula  is  supposed  to  be  20,000;  while  the  total 
number  of  converts  from  the  commencement  of  the  mis- 
sions, may  be  fairly  estimated  at  G'\000.  Many  of  them 
are,  doubtless,  merely  nominal  Christians. 

These  missions  have  been  transferred  from  the  Society 
for  Promoting  Christian  Knowledge  to  the  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  and  placed 
under  the  superintendence  of  the  bishop  of  Calcutta. 

The  following  statements  furnish  the  most  recent  intel- 
ligence which  we  have  received  from  the  missions.  Of 
the  Bishop's  college  at  Calcutta,  W.  H.  Mill,  D.  D.  is 
principal ;  G.  W.  Withers,  professor ;  M.  R.  De  Mello, 
missionary ;  James  Sykes,  printer ;  Bowyer,  Csemerer, 
Godfrey,  Horst,  Jeremiah,  Jones,  Simpson,  catechists,  con- 
nected with  the  college  but  employed  in  various  quarters. 
The  daily  attendance  of  scholars  is  1 ,257.  A  native  stu- 
dent, Mohesh  Chunder  Ghose,  has  been  admitted  under 
circumstances  of  great  interest,  with  the  view  of  future 
employment  as  a  missionary. 

The  property  left  to  the  Vepery  and  Tanjore  missions 
by  Swartz  and  Gericke,  has  been  transferred  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Society  by  the  executors,  in  order  to  secure 
it  from  the  casualties  of  individual  trust.  It  now  amounts 
to  101,600  sicca  rupees. 

The  scholars  connected  with  the  Madras  mission  and 
the  outstations  amount  to  3,220.  The  Society  has  granted 
14,000  rupees  for  the  erection  of  mission  and  school- 
houses,   and  other   buildings.     At  Vepery,  J.   L.  Irion, 


412  MEMOIRS  OF 

missionary,  two  catechists  and  six  native  assistants,  are 
laboring.  Dr.  Rottler,  on  account  of  advanced  age,  has 
retired  from  active  duties.  The  communicants  are  411. 
There  are  in  37  schools  1,071  scholars.  Four  native 
young  men  are  in  the  seminary.  At  Tanjore,  J.  C.  Kohl- 
hoff  and  A.  C.  Thompson  are  missionaries ;  C.  D.  Horst, 
catechist.  Mr.  KohlhofF  has  been  much  hindered  in  his 
work  from  sickness.  The  children  under  instruction 
amount  to  1,580.  In  the  English  school  are  many  pro- 
mising youth.  At  Trichinopoly,  H.  D.  Schreyvogel  labors 
as  a  missionary.  There  are  four  services  weekly.  Com- 
municants, 138;  scholars,  340  in  13  schools. 

The  missions  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society  in 
Southern  India,  occupying  in  part  the  scene  of  Swartz's 
labors,  embrace  10  stations,  15  ordained  European  mis- 
sionaries, 32'2  native  assistants,  224  schools,  7,275  schol- 
ars, and  441  communicants.  Ample  and  highly  inter- 
esting details  of  the  progress  of  true  knowledge  and 
piety  have  been  furnished.  In  several  hundred  villages, 
the  sacred  volume  is  statedly  read  and  explained.  It  is 
now  found  to  be  very  difficult  by  the  heathen,  to  support 
the  annual  iilol  celebration  at  Tinnevelly.  The  car  has 
been  materially  lightened,  and  even  now,  there  are  not 
persons  enough  to  draw  it.  Every  month,  a  large  number 
of  teachers  and  catechists  assemble  at  Palamcotta  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  religious  instruction  from  the  resident 
missionary.  In  short,  there  has  been  not  only  a  great 
abandonment  of  external  idolatry,  but  many  individuals 
have  apparently  received  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Mr.  Spaulding  of  the  American  mission  in  Ceylon, 
writing  from  Palamcotta,  under  date  of  January  30,  1834, 
says,  "Tinnevelly  is  a  large  town  of  22,000  inhabitants, 
and  for  a  native  place,  bears  the  marks  of  wealth.  In 
Palamcotta,  the  missionaries  have  one  chapel  and  two  or 
three  other  places  where  they  have  schools."  On  the  3d 
of  February,  Mr.  S.  went  with  Mr.  Rhenius  to  the  church 
where  the  catechists,  85  in  number,  were  assembled,  in- 
cluding seven  head  catechists.  Most  of  them  were  from 
villages  from  ten  to  one  hundred  miles  distant.  All,  as  it 
was  hoped,  were  true  followers  of  Christ.  The  head 
catechists  are  captains  of  fifties,  as  the  others  are  of  tens; 
and  over  all  is  John  Devasagayam,  the  native  priest. 

The  London  Missionary   Society   have  twelve  stations 


THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ.  413 

in  Southern  India,  where  the  prevalent  language  is  the 
Tamul,  though  the  Malayalim  and  others  are  spoken. 
The  names  of  the  stations  are  Bangalore,  Salem,  Coim- 
batore,  Quilon,  Nagercoil,  Neyoor,  Combaconum,  Chit- 
tore,  Madras,  Tripasore,  Cuddapah,  and  Vizagapatam. 
The  number  of  ordained  European  missionaries  is  sixteen. 
The  number  of  assistants  is  about  JOO  ;  of  schools,  208; 
scholars,  5,656.  In  the  eastern  division  of  the  South 
Travancore  mission,  there  are  51  outstations.  The  sem- 
inary has  26  youths.  In  six  months,  30,000  tracts  had 
been  printed  for  the  Nagercoil  and  Palamcotta  Tract  So- 
ciety. A  spirit  of  inquiry  has  been  e.xcited  among  some 
of  the  heathen  of  high  caste,  who  readily  receive  the 
Scriptures  and  tracts.  In  the  western  division  of  South 
Travancore,  the  outstations  are  64 ;  about  700  families 
are  under  instruction,  and  2,500  persons  constant  attend- 
ants on  the  means  of  grace.  About  700  persons  re- 
nounced idolatry  in  1832. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1834,  the  Prudential 
Committee  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for 
Foreign  Missions,  adopted  the  following  resolutions. 

"  1.  Whereas  Providence  indicates  that  the  time  has 
come  when  a  mission  among  the  Tamul  people  on  the 
Coromandel  coast  should  be  commenced, — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  mission  in  Ceylon  be  instructed 
to  send  two  of  their  own  number  to  the  coast  opposite  to 
Jaffna,  for  the  purpose  of  commencing  the  mission. 

"2.  And  whereas  it  is  of  importance  to  facilitate  the 
printing  of  Bibles  and  tracts  for  the  benefit  of  the  Tamul 
people  in  southern  India,  and  whereas  Jaffna  is  compar- 
atively difficult  of  access  from  this  country,  on  account  of 
its  insular  position,  while  Madras  is  conveniently  situated 
for  the  operations  of  a  Tamul  printing  establishment, — 

"  Resolved,  That  while  it  is  expedient  to  maintain  a 
printing  establishment  in  Jaffna  for  the  immediate  use  of 
the  mission  in  that  district,  it  is  proper,  should  Providence 
permit,  that  another  establishment  be  placed  in  Madras ; 
and  that  such  an  establishment  be  attempted  on  the  return 
of  Mr.  Winslow  to  India." 

As  this  portion  of  Hindoostan  falls  within  the  Madras 
presidency,  application  was  made  to  the  governor  at 
Madras  for  leave  to  extend  the  mission  to  the  continent. 
Permission  was  given  to  open  stations  in  any  part  of  the 


414       MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REV.  C.  F.  SWARTZ. 

district.  On  the  2 1  at  of  July,  1834,  Messrs.  Hoisington 
and  Todd,  Mrs.  Todd,  with  Francis  Asbury,  Edward 
Warren,  1st,  and  Edward  Warren,  2d,  native  catechists 
and  helpers,  left  Ceylon  to  commence  a  mission  at  Madura. 
Mr.  Spaulding  accompanied  them  with  the  expectation  of 
returning  soon.  Mrs.  Hoisington  from  Ceylon  will  soon 
join  the  mission.  The  distance  from  Jaffna  to  Madura 
is  about  120  miles.  The  mission  has  been  commenced 
under  very  favorable  auspices,  as  the  missionaries  are  well 
supplied  with  books,  tracts,  and  native  helpers.  The 
people  were  found  ready  to  hear,  as  well  as  eager  to 
receive  books  and  tracts.  The  population  of  Madura  is 
50,000,  and  of  the  district  1,300,000.  The  city  is  en- 
circled with  walls,  and  may  be  emphatically  termed  "a 
city  of  temples."  The  principal  wall  of  the  largest 
temple  is  not  less  than  three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  cir- 
cumference. The  temple  has  at  least  ten  thousand  massy 
pillars  of  stone.  May  it  soon  be  reclaimed  to  the  service 
of  Jehovah,  and  may  the  blessing  of  the  Head  of  the 
church  crown  with  great  success,  this  effort  of  American 
Christians  to  labor  on  the  ground  once  trodden  by  the 
feet  of  Swartz,  Gericke,  and  Kohlhoff. 


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